Linda Grubbs

Linda Marie Grubbs (Smith), 86, passed away at home in Sikeston, Mo., surrounded by loved ones, on October 27, 2026. She was a dedicated servant to the Lord, as well as a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

She was born on January 26, 1940, near Malvern, Ark., to Bill and Mary Grace (Manning) Smith.

She graduated from Bryant High School in Arkansas before attending Tarrant County Junior College in Texas, and later Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Linda married her sweetheart, Rev. Kelley Grubbs, on June 26, 1959, in Alexander, Ark. They had to get permission from his parents, due to Kelley being 17, and therefore underage, at the time. Including their courtship, which began at a church New Year’s Eve party in 1956, the pair were together on earth for just shy of 70 years. They were inseparable for all that time.

Linda served the Lord alongside her husband at several churches, before settling in Sikeston, Mo. in 1984 at Murray Lane Baptist Church, where they both worked until retirement in 2018.

Together, they answered midnight calls, waited with families in hospitals and put the needs of others before their own. As a pastor’s wife, Linda occupied the positions of custodian, caretaker, secretary, interior decorator, event planner and many more, often without recognition or praise. Wherever a need arose, she filled it, letting no checklist go incomplete, giving freely her time, energy and money to the Lord. But despite a never-ending list of to-do’s, she always had more to give for her family and grandchildren, who adore her.

Linda is survived by her husband, Kelley Grubbs, their sons, Kyle (Kathy) and Jason (Lori) Grubbs, and six grandchildren: Rachel, Jaydon, Evan, Caleb, Hannah and Josiah. She is preceded in death by siblings Billy, Harold, Frank, Ladell and Sarah, and parents Bill and Mary Grace (Manning) Smith.

Funeral services will take place for Linda on Friday, October 30, at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. A public visitation is set for 3 p.m., with services led by Linda’s son, Rev. Jason Grubbs at 4 p.m. Linda’s earthly body will be laid to rest at Sikeston Memorial Park with a private burial.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Danny Kuykendall, Crown Hospice and Managed Care, Inc.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at ww.nunneleefuneral.com for the Grubbs family.