Barbara P. Linker

In the company of friends and family, Barbara P. Linker passed away at the age of 67 from complications related to multiple myeloma. She died in Pensacola, Florida on November 27, 2014, Thanksgiving morning.

She was born in Pensacola, Florida on November 6, 1947 to Walter F. and Neta (Lewis) Pennington. As a child, one of her favorite things to do was to walk to “the little store” and get hand dipped ice cream. She also took many years of piano lessons, and playing the piano became a lifelong hobby. Barbara played for the church where she grew up, West Highland Baptist, and years later she played for her church again while attending Covenant Presbyterian.

Barbara married her Navy sweetheart, Grey Linker, on August 31, 1968. They lived in San Diego, California for several years before returning to Pensacola. Barbara and Grey were blessed with two children, a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Charlie. In 2009 they welcomed the arrival of a granddaughter, Isabella. Barbara was called “Gammie” and she called Isabella her “babydoll”.

She was a graduate of Escambia High School and Pensacola Junior College, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of West Florida. She went on to have a long and fulfilling career with the School District of Escambia County, where she began working in 1971. She started as Accountant I; she later attained the position of Budgeting Director. By the time she retired 39 years later, she had spent nine years as the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Services, the top level accountant position for the School District. Barbara was an active member of the Florida School Finance Officers Association and the Florida School Finance Counsel. She was tireless in her commitment to the educational system of Escambia County.

Barbara loved the beauty of her hometown and enjoyed spending time at the beach. She also loved the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and she and Grey took many trips to explore this picturesque region. Mount Le Conte in Tennessee was one of their favorite getaways, and they hiked it on several occasions. Trips to Israel, New York City, and Niagara Falls were some of the most memorable of their travels to destinations farther afield.

Her Christian faith was the most important aspect of her life. Her love of God helped her to be a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, and friend. She was a member of Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church. She was also dedicated to her country and was a proud life member of The John Birch Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as a brother, W. Maurice Pennington, and sister, Janie L. Pennington. She is survived by her husband, J. Grey Linker; son, Charlie Linker; daughter, Jennifer Corcoran (Bob); brother, Paul Pennington (Patsy); sister, Nell McCawley; granddaughter, Isabella Corcoran; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Barbara's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 06, 2014 at Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 2885 E. Olive Road. Reverend John Schortmann will conduct the memorial service. Barbara was laid to rest in Bayview Memorial Park.