Linda Palyok Bray

Born in Germany on March 10, 1960, Linda was adopted by her devoted parents, William Broom and Elizabeth B. Shull. She grew up in South Carolina and attended Julia Bates School, where she made lifelong friendships that she treasured dearly.

In her early years, Linda devoted herself to being a loving mother and later spent many years working in the service industry, where her warm personality and natural ability to connect with people shined. She eventually found her professional home at Aetna CVS, where she spent the last 25 years of her career. Linda truly loved her work and the people she met along the way, forming friendships that reached across the globe including colleagues in Chennai and New Delhi, India, as well as Manila and Ilocos in the Philippines.

Family was the heart of Linda’s life. She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Shull of Lexington, SC her sister, Shelly, and her brother-in-law, Dan Swank, of Mesa, Arizona. The sisters found each other later in life through Ancestry.com and quickly formed a deep, unbreakable bond. She is also survived by her two beloved sons, Shaun Palyok of Sandy Run and Travis Palyok of Cayce; and her seven cherished grandsons, Blake, Luke, Ethan, Alex, Liam, Greyson, and Theo Palyok, who were the lights of her life. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, including her niece Jessica James, as well as dear friends Sheryl Ridgeway and Lorri Morgan, who will remember her love and laughter.

Linda’s kindness, quick wit, and joyful spirit touched all who knew her. Whether she was swapping stories, offering a helping hand, or simply sharing a laugh, she made everyone feel welcome and valued.

A visitation for Linda will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St, Columbia, South Carolina, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM. For those who cannot attend in person, a link will be provided to view the service via livestream.

Linda’s family invites all who loved her to gather, share memories, and celebrate a life so beautifully lived.