Linda was born May 4, 1939, in Washington D.C. to Ernest V. and Beatrice Mandler Cooke and grew up in the Arlington, Virginia area.
After moving to Texas with her family, she completed three degrees at Baylor University – the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology and the Master of Science in Education. An educator for 30 years in Marlin ISD and Crowley ISD, she touched the lives of countless children as a speech therapist, special education teacher, and educational diagnostician. She was honored as Elementary Teacher of the Year during her tenure in Marlin ISD. After retiring from Crowley ISD, she continued working part-time as a speech pathologist for several Fort Worth charter schools and for Region XI Education Service Center, supervising distance learning classes for speech pathology students.
Linda was active in her church, particularly in the music program. She served as a church organist for more than forty years – first as a teenager subbing in her home church in Virginia, then for 19 years at First Baptist Church of Marlin, Texas, and most recently at Ridglea West Baptist Church in Fort Worth before retiring.
Linda loved Gospel music, concerts, and cruises and, after retirement, was able to enjoy several that combined those interests -- Gospel-themed cruises with Bill & Gloria Gaither and with Sandi Patty, and an Irish music-themed cruise with Celtic Thunder. But most especially, she loved her family – her two sons, daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, one grandson, and three great-grandsons, who were the light of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ernest V. Cooke, Jr.
She is survived by son Marcus Haptonstall and wife June of Azle; son Roger Haptonstall of Bremond; granddaughter Laura Miller and husband Matthew of Fort Worth; granddaughter Rachel Neal and husband Andrew of Fort Worth; grandson Steven Haptonstall of Waco; great-grandsons Ethan Miller, Elijah Miller, and Hudson Neal, all of Fort Worth; sister-in-law Beverly T. Cooke, niece Susan Davis and husband Dwayne, all of Sandpoint, Idaho; nephew Donald Cooke and wife Beth of Woodbridge, Virginia; friend and caregiver, Vicki Gilliam of Granbury; and numerous other extended family and friends.
The family has designated the American Bible Society for anyone who may wish to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers.
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