Early on the evening of Wednesday, November 28, 2018, Linda Sue Smith Rodgers of Lancaster, Texas passed from this life into the presence of our loving and merciful Lord and Savior. Linda was born on February 28, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to H. F. (Shorty) Smith and Opal Theobald Smith. Linda graduated from French High School in Beaumont Texas and then went on to Lamar University where she received her bachelor’s degree. While at Lamar, she met and fell in love with her future husband, Leon Rodgers. They married on November 20, 1962 and just recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Linda later went on to complete her master’s degree at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas while she and Leon were living in Austin.
During her lifetime, Linda actually enjoyed several different careers where she had a lasting impact on those with whom she worked. Linda always loved teaching Biology where she had the opportunity to introduce many young people to the wonder and interconnectedness of our living world. She always used many hands-on activities that both engaged and fascinated her students. While in the education world, Linda went on to serve as the Dean of Girls at Anderson High School in Austin, Texas. A little later in Linda’s life she had the opportunity to serve in the legal field. She worked for many years as a Legal Assistant and Paralegal at several different law firms in Dallas, Houston, and Beaumont. In all of these careers, Linda was a devoted and loyal employee who always went beyond what was expected.
Linda was a warm, compassionate, and loving individual who has always been respected and admired for her kindness and thoughtfulness. She was a good communicator and so very many of us have been the recipients of her beautiful handwritten notes expressing uplifting and caring sentiments. Linda loved dragonflies, chocolate, and her poodle named Ebony, newspapers, Coke Zero, IHop, bright colors, cheesecake, miga's, nature, and so many other things. But most of all, Linda loved people…Especially her family members. Linda’s life was marked by humility, kindness, and humor and was beloved by many people.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, H.F. Smith (1992) and Opal Theobald Smith (2012). Linda is survived by her beloved husband, Leon Sherrill Rodgers of Lancaster, TX. She is also survived by her sister Becky Smith Waterfield and brother-in-law Joseph Waterfield of Dallas, TX. as well as brother-in-law John Rodgers and sister-in-law Sharon Rodgers of Mauriceville TX, and sister-in-law Darlene Fountain of Vidor, TX. Linda is also survived by five nieces and two nephews whom she loved dearly.
