Linda was born in Illinois to Ira and Marie Watts. She then moved to Michigan where she met and married Gay Michael Schultz in 1968. After five years as a married couple, they welcomed twins Andrea and Timothy in 1973. When Gay’s work sent him to NC, Linda worked diligently to make NC a new home for her family, while staying closely connected with her extended family in Michigan. While raising her children in Dallas, NC, she and Gay were actively involved in Boy and Girl Scouts. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, reading biographies, and being on the beach at the outer banks. Working for Gaston County Nutrition gave her an opportunity to interact with children, as she displayed love and care to the children she served meals to, often buying lunches for any in need and pouring love into the kids each day.
Linda eased fully into grandparenthood and poured her life and energy into her five grandchildren every opportunity she had. The love and priority for her grandchildren was constant and evident.
Linda enjoyed retirement as a grandmother, wife, and mother. She poured her love into her family despite some health struggles. She filled her time at the grandchildren’s activities and hosting frequent get-togethers and holidays with wonderful meals for the kids, grandkids, other grandparents, and neighbors.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Marie Watts; brother, Larry Watts; niece, Julia Stafford and brother-in-law, Tom Brady.
Linda leaves behind her loving husband of 56 years, Gay Schultz; daughter, Andrea Aldridge (Devon) of Kings Mountain, NC; son, Timothy Schultz (Karen) of Hickory, NC; five grandchildren, Taylor Fulwilder (Jeremiah), Brent Schultz, Mattilyn Schultz, Abigail Phillips (Nathan), and Aaron Aldridge; brother, Robert Watts (Carol); sister, Nancy Brady; brother, Gary Watts (Sue); sister-in-law, Sharon (Charles); brother-in-law, Alan (Lucy), and many nieces and nephews.
The family will honor her life in a service on April 12, 2025 for close friends and family at Carothers Funeral Home Dallas, 212 West Trade Street, Dallas NC at 3:00 pm with a visitation being held from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.
Please visit www.carothersfuneralhomedallas.com to leave online condolences and fond memories for the Schultz Family.
