Lynda Nash Gower

Lynda was born on November 18, 1937, two months early, to Hope B. and Minnie Potter Nash in Jefferson Georgia. She joined her siblings Thomas Alvin “Shorty” (1924) and Hope Minnette (1931). In 1938 the Great Depression caused the farm to close and the family moved to Tampa Florida with a job that paid $12 a week. Because of her father’s severe arthritis, the family moved back to Georgia in 1944. They made several trips back and forth between Tampa and Georgia from 1949-1953 due to her father’s health. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, accompanied by her mother on the piano and dance starting at the early age of 3. Lynda attended Hillsboro High School in Tampa and participated on the dance team. Her first marriage ended but had two beautiful girls, Cheryl (1955) and Cindy (1957).

She met Walter while attending Central Christian Church, Tampa Florida with her sister’s family. Their first date was a University of Florida football game. She can be a very loud football fan. She was the neighbor of Walter’s brother and sister-in-law. They were married in 1962 in Tampa Florida. She worked at Maas Brothers until the birth of Phyllis in 1964. She had a fourth daughter (Stephanie) that did not survive in 1965.

Lynda loved music and sang solos/duets/quartets in church and directed a youth choir (J.O.Y. & Co) for close to 20 years in the 1970’s-80’s. It was a traveling drama choir performing throughout the state in churches. She and Walter loved young people and invested in their lives as high school youth sponsors spending most of their wedding anniversaries at either the Southern Christian Youth Convention or Florida Youth Conventions. They also worked tirelessly for many years preparing fundraising events in Florida for Milligan College. Lynda also volunteered at Lake Aurora Christian camp as a dorm mom, worship leader for their Women’s Retreats and helped with workdays and special projects.

She loved to decorate and host family gatherings and church events. Family was the utmost importance to her. She hosted Easter picnics, Thanksgivings and Christmas Eve’s inviting extended family and friends. She never wanted to leave anyone out. “Beach Week”, a tradition since 1981, was the highlight of her year with all the family joining in relaxing at the beach. Something none of the grandkids outgrew and treasured coming back each year bringing the now, great grands.

She passed on Thanksgiving night, one of her most favorite holidays. She was so grateful for her growing family. She has left behind her loving husband, Walter of 58 years, her daughters Cindy Gower and husband Wayne, along with Phyllis Bornemann and her husband Steve, her sister, Minnette Hughes, New Bern, North Carolina, six grandchildren: Brett (Diana) Shirley, Kader (Paunece)Scull IV, Craig (Amanda)Shirley, Kaitlyn (Aaron) Nelson, Derek (Alicia)Bornemann, Gretchen Herrero, nine great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and children she has loved as her own.

Funeral services include a Graveside Service Friday, December 4th at 1 pm at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, Brandon (Masks Required) and a Celebration of Life Service Saturday, December 5th 1-4 pm with an hour service beginning at 2 pm at Lake Aurora Christian Camp, Lake Wales. A live stream of the service will be available on Christ’s Church on the Move Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate in her memory to Lake Aurora Christian Camp, 237 Golden Bough Road Lake Wales, FL 33893 (lakeaurora.org)