Linda Shepherd Sears

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Shepherd Sears, age 76, of Clinton, Mississippi. Linda passed away peacefully under the loving care of her son, Clifford Sears on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Linda was born in Jackson at Baptist Hospital on December 4, 1947, to Thomas Edward Shepherd, Sr. and Maxine McDaniel Shepherd. She grew up in South Jackson and attended Jackson Public Schools.

Linda was predeceased by her husbands Charles (Butch) Downs and Jake Floyd Sears, her parents Tom and Maxine, and younger brother Lonnie Joe Shepherd.

Linda was a loving and caring person who loved serving others. Literally! She worked in the hospitality industry off and on all her life beginning as a hostess then a waitress at her Aunt and Uncle's Green Derby restaurant while just a teen.

She loved animals and had a special place in her heart for the unwanted and discarded, often sharing stories of lost and found pets to her Facebook friends in addition to rescuing many dogs and cats in her lifetime. At the time of her passing, she still had her beloved dogs Scooter and Annabelle; three inside cats Tigger, Beebe, and Cali Cat as well as feeding and providing outdoor shelter to numerous feral cats in her neighborhood. She had a yard full of bird and squirrel feeders and loved watching their antics from her bed these final months.

Ms. Linda was a vociferous reader as well; she was hardly ever seen without her treasured Kindle close at hand. Reading offered Linda great solace all her life especially as she was bedridden in her final year.

Ms. Sears was also a fabulous cook and renowned at family gatherings for her cakes and desserts including her Creamy Coconut cake and her Hostess Cupcake cake.

Linda also loved Facebook and her Facebook friends. As her main lifeline to the outside world, as she lay in bed this past year, she was always upbeat and positive while sharing funny stories and memes. But more often than not she was inquiring about the troubles and illnesses of others and offering care and comfort to them instead of dwelling on her own peril.

Linda Shepherd Sears had a long and interesting life. She was a strong and independent soul, a Christian woman, who is now free of her pain and suffering and reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her. She knew the end was near and was unafraid and spoke of seeing angels and perhaps speaking to ones on the other side as Bubba heard her softly calling "Momma" and "Nannie" before her final words " I love you, Bubba" as he held her close.

Left to cherish her memory are son Clifford Sears, daughter Tomi Mitchum, grandchildren Misty, Alex, Jamie, Justin, Lauren, and great-granddaughter Emsley; brothers Tom (Brenda) Shepherd and Warren (Kathy) Shepherd, sisters Lynn (Eckhart) Stuart, Donna (Dirk) Van Loon and Sandra (Jim) Walmsley plus a multitude of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the families ask donations to be made to Donate to Mississippi Spay & Neuter (givebutter.com) or Donate Today | The American Cancer Society.

A visitation for Linda will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM.