Linda Leath

Linda Lou Leath, 86, of Sparta, Tennessee, passed away in her home on July 24, 2023. She was born August 6, 1936 to Willard and Dorothy Milner, in South Bend, IN.

Linda is survived by her loving and devoted husband Billy; daughters Debbi Nelson, Coleen (Jim) Whiteaker, Anna Cortier (Ron Slagle), Charlotte Smith, Jacqueline (Dave) Sheedy, Janine (Scott) Mabry and sons; Jeff (Joy) Leath, and Jean (Molly) Cortier. Linda was blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, numbering close to 100. They brought love and light to her life. Her eyes would dance with joy when she saw them.

Linda grew up with her eight siblings in South Bend, Indiana. She is survived by her two younger sisters Janet Catano and Sue Short. Linda’s childhood, though faced with hardships of the Depression, was one of love and laughter. Linda raised her children to persevere, show kindness, and speak their truth. While raising her children, Linda wore many hats. She was a dog groomer, a softball coach, and sold Avon and Amway. She worked retail and eventually opened her own children’s clothing store in North Village Mall, called Linn’s Young World. Linda opened a second store in Oklahoma City. She loved music, art, shopping, traveling, decorating her home, and the occasional trip to the casino (Lucky Linda Lou Leath).

Linda lived in Indiana, Oklahoma, and Florida. In 2006, Linda and Bill moved to Tennessee, close to her daughter, Coleen, and son-in-law, Jim. She made friends wherever she went and loved to help her neighbors. Linda was a fighter! She faced life’s challenges with grit and determination. In the early hours, on March 3, 2020, Linda and Bill awoke to the power and force of an EF-4 tornado. The destruction was great, leaving very little of their belongings to survive. But Bill and Linda held on and rose from the debris. She didn’t give up, and was lovingly referred to as “the Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

Family was so very important to Linda. She made sure a yearly family reunion took place to provide an opportunity for everyone to be together. She loved the reunions! During the early days of Covid, Linda and her children began a Sunday evening Zoom call. She was there every Sunday, laughing and sharing stories. Linda adored her husband Bill. Their love story began early in her life and fate brought them back together in 1991. They loved to go out to eat, travel to see family, and work on word puzzles. He was her rock.

Linda has left a legacy of love and the value of family. Her love for Jesus, her strength, perseverance and compassion will live on in the lives of the individuals who were blessed to have known her.

Linda's family will receive friends Thursday July 27 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Further services and interment will be in South Bend,

Indiana.

Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.