Linda Smith

(From Knell Mortuary)

Linda Sue Smith, 72, of Sebring, FL, passed away peacefully from this life into the loving arms of Jesus
on Friday, June 28, 2024.

She was born October 10, 1951 in Nevada, MO, the daughter of Marvin and Sherry Messick. Her family moved to Carthage in 1960 where she graduated from Carthage High School in 1969.

Linda became the beautiful bride of Michael Brady Smith of Joplin, MO on February 5, 1971. After moving to Kansas City, MO the next year, she worked as a certified nurse assistant for several medical offices. Later she worked in the office of Principal Life Insurance and the loan department of James B. Nutter in Kansas City.

In 1997, she began her career as an executive administrative assistant working on building projects for
Abram’s Construction and T. D. Farrel Construction, traveling with her husband to multiple cities and
states building large retail developments until her retirement in 2014. She made her home in Sebring, FL in 2001.

Linda was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grammy who enjoyed cooking big meals with all the sides anyone could ever want. Together with her husband, she loved gardening, canning, and then giving it away. She was always looking for opportunities to bless others and nothing brought her more fulfillment in life than being generous to others. Never recognizing it herself, God gave her a natural talent to see and put the needs of others before herself. Her favorite pastime was chatting with girlfriends and waiting and fussing over people. Linda will be remembered as a gracious, kind, big blue-eyed prayer warrior who will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Survivors include her husband and two daughters, Wendy Michelle Buhrman(Jeffrey), West Palm Beach, FL, and Misty Christine Blevins (Rex), Peculiar, MO; seven grandchildren, Justin Buhrman(Kim), Jordan Buhrman, and Jared Buhrman, all of West Palm Beach, FL, Tiffany Ryan, K. C., MO, Adam Blevins, FL, Benjamin Blevins (Emily), and Caitlin Blevins, both of Peculiar, MO; four great-grandchildren, Landon, Jackson, and Joshua Buhrman and Camber Ryan; one sister, Kaye Griffith (Harel), Joplin, MO, nieces, nephews, and many friends who called her mom or sister.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin Earl Messick (2017) and Sherry Lynn Messick (2007), and her beloved grandmother, Katherine Margaret Clara (Kegley) Bates (1958).

Private family services will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Placid, FL.