Age 88 of Hermitage TN passed away on August 2, 2026. She was born on September 15, 1937 to the late Earl and Edith Nixon.
She was a devoted employee of Gideons International for over thirty-five years where she served as executive secretary to the CEO.
As a woman of deep Christian faith she served as the director of the children's church program at Bethel Church of the Nazarene for many years and was a delegate to the regional and national Nazarene conventions several times.
While in retirement she also enjoyed working with her late husband Melvin of 58 years as the Christian clown team of Parkey and Joybell.
At her death she was a member of the Hermitage Church of the Nazarene that she deeply loved where she enjoyed being a member of the Eighties Ladies class.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Linda is proceeded in death by her husband Melvin Thomas Parkhurst Sr, son Melvin Thomas (Tom) Parkhurst Jr. and brothers Howard and Charles Nixon. She is survived by son Kendall (Janet) Parkhurst, daughter in-law Debbie Parkhurst, sister Faye Swann, grandchildren Justin, Lauren, and Logan (Theresa). Great grandchildren Jonathan, Charlotte, Arthur and Samuel Parkhurst, Gracie and Alana Hensley and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 10:00 am -12:00 pm with a Celebration of Life at 12:00 pm at Hermitage Funeral Home conducted by Rev. Dr. Matthew B. Hastings. The interment will take place at Springfield Memorial Gardens at a later date.
Honorary Pallbearers will be The Eighties Ladies Class: Dott Waffird, Pauline Harbin, Carrie Knox, Jeanette Flatt & Sharron Shands.
