Linda Elaine Mather

Linda was born in Donalsonville, GA, but grew up in Columbus, where her family moved when she was still a little girl. While attending Jordan High School, Linda was Head Majorette and played baritone saxophone despite the instrument being nearly as tall as she was. After graduating, Linda left her hometown and set out to see the world, first through her brief stint as a flight attendant and later as an Army wife of 22 years. She returned to Columbus in 1994 and made it home again for the next 25 years before moving to Charlotte, NC, to be with her children and grandchildren.

Linda will be remembered for her commitment to volunteer work no matter the duty station and for her love of learning new skills and pursuing new hobbies, so long as a computer wasn’t required! From scuba diving to woodworking and quilting, she was always up for a challenge.

Above all, Linda loved her family deeply, which was often made most evident by her willingness and desire to show up and fix anything at any time. Even things that didn't need fixing! Linda is survived by her children, Tricia Meals and Tracey (Nathan) Rouse; her brother, Jerry (Jeany) Roberts, who gave his baby sister the nickname 'Baye' over seventy years ago and never called her anything else; her five grandchildren, Andrew (Ashley) Meals, Kyley Meals, Lucinda Rouse, Penelope Rouse, Juniper Rouse; her great-grandson, Barrett "Bear" Meals, and many cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father, Henry Thomas Roberts, and her mother and best friend, Dorothy Roberts O'Brien, who no doubt was the first to greet her in Heaven.

Linda was a trooper, having endured multiple surgeries, rounds of chemoimmunotherapy, and radiation treatments since her original diagnosis of lung cancer in 2019. The family wishes to thank the teams at Novant Health Cancer Institute and Novant Health Hospice not only for their excellent care but also for their graciousness in treating Linda, who we all know always spoke her mind quite freely and who never did have much patience!

A graveside service will be held 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Linda to NAMI (https://www.nami.org) or Prechter Bipolar Research Program (https://giving.umich.edu/um/w/heinz-c-prechter-bipolar-research-fund-308380) or a charity of the donor’s choosing.

Arrangements are in the care of Striffler Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA 31907.