On July 9, 2022, Linda Mae Holland, age 71, received her wings and went to walk with the angels in heaven after a courageous battle with cancer. During her passing, she was encircled by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest and loving God.

Linda was born on February 4, 1951, in Higgins, Texas, to Leroy and Estelle Smith. Raised in Amarillo, Texas, she excelled academically and was a skilled musician throughout her schooling. Lettering in marching band/orchestra, she graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1969.

Linda formulated a characterization of the phrase "stay-at-home-mom" that would not only benefit and nurture her children but thousands of children over the years. When Linda's daughters were young and in school, there would never be one day that they wouldn't see their mother walking the halls of Whittier Elementary and Travis Middle School. They could never fake an illness because she was the nurse's aide. Since she was the library assistant, they could never hide in the library. PTA president, room mother, carpool mom, booster mom, and carnival coordinator were other titles on her list. She did this not out of obligation but because of who she was—an exceptional and devoted mother. Her daughters loved every second of it.

In her lifetime, Linda would be an RGIS supervisor, a medical transcriptionist and coder for Palo Duro Hospital in Canyon, TX, a personal assistant, and the principal receptionist for Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck, OK.

The simplest pleasures in life brought the greatest joy to Linda. She loved playing board games such as Yahtzee with her family and never cared if she won or not. She enjoyed romantic Hallmark movies with a bowl of homemade chili and a Dr. Pepper on any given day. She cherished spending time in the kitchen, creating her famous homemade lasagna and chicken and dumplings for her family. She loved going on long car rides and enjoying the beauty of the Texas bluebonnets and wildflowers blanketing the landscape in spring. She was a lifetime crafter who loved giving beautiful homemade cards, scrapbooks, and ornaments to family and friends to cherish.

Those that will treasure her everlasting memory are her daughters, Tina Holland of Bedford, TX and Jennifer (John) Nevener of Little Elm, TX; a sister, Donna (Wayne) Fields of Mayflower, AR; three grandchildren, Haleigh Noelle Nevener of Little Elm, TX, Noah Sichchanthavong of Keller, TX, and Kendall Sichanthavong of Keller, TX; great uncle, Claudis Kraft of Gage, OK; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Estelle Smith; stepfather, Bill Davis; paternal grandparents, Eldon and Mattie Smith; maternal grandparents, Alex and Mollie Kraft; and brother, Jerald Smith.

Her daughters will share plans for a Celebration of Life ceremony at a future date.

If you would like to honor Linda Holland, please donate to St. Jude's Hospital.

If Tears Could Build a Stairway

If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say "Goodbye. "
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you -
No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times
life still has much in store.
Since you'll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today~
A hallowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.

~Unknown