Linda P Worley

Linda Kaye Pingelton Worley, at the age of 80, passed away on December 31, 2024 at AdventHealth Carrollwood Hospital in Tampa, Florida following respiratory failure associated with the aggressive pharmacological treatment of her breast cancer.

Linda was born on October 31, 1944 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she grew up with her 4 siblings and was an active participant in youth activities at Wheeling Avenue Christian Church. She graduated from Central High School in 1962. She left Tulsa to attend college at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, where she obtained her Bachelor of Education (1966) and Master of Education (1972) degrees. During her years at Phillips, she was active in student life as a resident hall assistant, a varsity student athlete in field hockey, basketball, volleyball, track and cheerleading, and a member of Comets, a women’s social club focused on service. She was even named Homecoming Queen in 1964. It was at Phillips that she met the love of her life, her husband of nearly 60 years, Milton Thomas “Tom” Worley. They were married on August 3, 1965 at Wheeling Avenue Christian Church.

Upon graduation in 1965, Linda became a Physical Education teacher at Waller Junior High School in Enid, Oklahoma, where she worked for 30 years where she positively influenced and helped shape the lives of thousands of students. She loved teaching not only the rules and regulations of various sports, but the importance of sportsmanship and leadership. During her tenure at Waller, she also coached track, sponsored cheerleading and student council, and trained many future teachers as a supervisor and mentor to student teachers. She was not idle during her summer vacations, and instead took the opportunity to continue educating others by teaching swimming lessons to multiple generations of Enid families. Linda was also active in her community through participation and leadership in various clubs and organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma (an international professional society for women educators), Kappa Kappa Iota (a national organization of educators), a local mother’s club, Ambucs (a nationwide community service organization), the Gaslight Theatre (a local community theatre), and Central Christian Church. Upon retirement from teaching in 1996, she and Tom moved to Savannah, Georgia where she supervised student teachers for Armstrong Atlantic State University (now part of Georgia Southern University) and became a member of the local Ambucs chapter. Later, while living in Kingsland, Georgia, Jacksonville, Florida, and Tampa, Florida she participated in the rotary club and various homeowner’s associations, while focusing on one of her favorite roles in life as “Grandmama” to her four grandchildren. Whenever she joined a group, she gave it her all, lending her intelligence and creativity to make each sponsored event the best it could be. It was no wonder that she was selected as an officer, usually president, of each of these organizations at one time or another. Her other passions included gardening, sewing, baking, shopping and decorating for the holidays (especially Halloween and Christmas). She also enjoyed sharing these special talents with neighbors, friends, and family members. People who knew her well would describe Linda as driven, well-organized, compassionate, encouraging, selfless, and “the strongest person they knew”.

Linda was predeceased by her father, Richard Pingelton, her mother, Joan Cease (Pingelton) Williams, and her sister, Suzanne Papandria. She is survived by her husband, Tom Worley, children, Rhonda Worley Said (Donald “Don” Said, Jr.) and Thomas “Ross” Worley (Susan Keyser Worley), siblings, John Pingelton (Connie Pingelton), Robert “Bob” Pingelton (Theresa Pingelton), and Joanne Pingelton Kent (David Kent), grandchildren, Leighton Said, Marguerite “Margo” Said, Thomas “Tommy” Worley, and Troy Worley, and many nieces and nephews. Linda was passionate about her family and shared close relationships with them. She loved opportunities to have large family gatherings with extended family. Whenever she said goodbye to any of her grandchildren, she would always ask, “How much do I love you?” and the response from each of them was, “Whole bunch, whole bunch!” She truly loved others with her whole heart.

There will not be a public memorial service. The family will have a private gathering at a later date for the internment of her ashes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Phillips University Legacy Foundation (PULF) in memory of Linda Worley.

Phillips University helped shape the woman and role model that Linda became, yet she would not have had the opportunity to attend college without a scholarship through the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. Because of this, donations to the PULF will ensure her legacy lives on by bringing hope and change to future students who chose to attend universities similar to Phillips University with the mission of “developing leaders who transform the world.” This world can certainly use great leaders like Linda who transformed the lives of so many people during her life. Donations can be made at www.pulf.org/honor-memorial-giving/ or by sending a check to Phillips University Legacy Foundation, 1111 W. Broadway Avenue, Enid, Oklahoma 73703.