Linda was born at Lightner Hospital in Harrisburg, Illinois on March 11, 1951 to the late James R. Spirling and Madge Marie Simpson Spirling. In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by two half-brothers, James W. and Thomas L. Spirling.
Linda was an accomplished musician. She excelled playing clarinet and played first chair with the Seabreeze Marching 100 and she also traveled with the McDonald All-American High School Band. She gave up a scholarship to Troy University to be a loving wife and mother. Linda went to nursing school at age 49 and became an RN in the ICU at McDowell Hospital at age 52, where she worked for 12 years.
Linda was a devout Christian. She was a founding member of both Suntree United Methodist Church and Faith Fellowship in Melbourne, FL. She loved serving the Lord in various capacities, including being a church secretary. After relocating to North Carolina in 1997, she became a member of Biltmore Baptist Church. She spent her life doing self-less acts for others, such as volunteering at church and supporting her community whenever needed. She was loved by so many and friends were “family”. She was commonly called “Aunt Linda” or “Momma O” by those who knew her.
Mrs. Owen is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Timothy D. Owen; two children, Lisa Patchin (husband Brad) of Johns Creek, Georgia, and Timothy C. (wife Tammy) Owen of Greenville, South Carolina. She is also survived by four loving grandchildren, Taylor and Bradley Patchin and Damion and Dante Owen. She cherished her weekends with her children and grandchildren. Her homemade Mac N Cheese kept them coming back for more.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 30, 2020 in the McCall Memorial Chapel of Kirksey Funeral Home in Marion with Pastor Dr. Jeff Hoy officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM (noon) until the 1:00 service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which she cherished, by visiting www.jdrf.org.
Kirksey Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Owen family.
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