Linda Worley

(From Peterson Funeral Chapel)

Linda Sue Worley, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Linda was born on September 13, 1952, in Springfield, Missouri, to Genera and Harvey Rhodes. She grew up in Springfield and lived there until the age of 24, when she met and married the love of her life, Eli Worley. They were married on December 18, 1976, and shared nearly 49 years of devoted marriage.

Linda was a loving mother to LaShellya Johnson, Shawn Worley, and bonus daughter Angie Ball. She was also the very best “Nana” to Paris Stice Dressler, Isabella Stice, Kourtney Stice, and Jerrick Worley, and had recently become a proud great-grandmother to Eli Dressler.

In 1984, Eli and Linda moved to Kimberling City, Missouri, where they owned and operated a donut shop and bakery while raising their children. They later moved to Boaz, Missouri, where Eli worked as a truck driver and Linda devoted herself to being a homemaker. Eventually, they made Aurora their home.

Linda graduated from Central High School and attended SMSU for a time. Throughout her life, she worked various retail and theater jobs in Branson, but her greatest joy came from being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an amazing cook, a talented decorator, and especially loved the holiday seasons. Linda had a deep love for animals—especially dogs and elephants—and she found happiness in caring for the family pets. She enjoyed volunteering at the local food pantry and senior center, and she loved shopping for the best deals—particularly with her friends, daughter, and granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Genera Rhodes of Springfield; her sisters Barbara Jean Rhodes; brothers Robert Gothard and Roy Holbrook and sister-in-law Betty Holbrook.

She is survived by her husband, Eli Worley of Aurora, Missouri; sister Joyce Moore and her husband Bill Moore; daughter LaShellya Johnson and husband Hoby Johnson of Galena, Missouri; son Shawn Worley of Springfield, Missouri; and daughter Angie Ball and her husband Kenny Ball of Nixa, Missouri. Her memory lives on through her grandchildren Paris and Brian Dressler of Port St. Lucie, Florida; Isabella Stice of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Kourtney Stice of Galena, Missouri; and Jerrick Worley of Springfield, Missouri, as well as her great-grandson Eli Dressler.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Maple Park Cemetery, under the direction of Peterson Funeral Chapel in Aurora, Missouri. The service will be presided over by longtime family friend Larry Sifford.