Linda was born on January 20, 1949, to Aaron and Mary (Dill) Carey in Wagoner, Oklahoma. She was the second oldest of her seven siblings: Marie, Wynona, Janie, Helen, Carol, Jimmy, and Sara. As a child, she was a self-proclaimed tom-boy, always getting up to mischief as a little “Indian girl”. She attended elementary school in Oklahoma until her family eventually settled in Clinton, where she finished high school.
This is where she met the love of her life, Lawrence “Butch” Easter. She always said that she knew he was the one when, at a party, she noticed him sitting off to the side with a watchful eye to make sure everyone was okay. He often said of her that she taught him the true meaning of love. They married on August 21, 1966, had three children together, and Butch remained her protector during their forty-year marriage.
Linda was known for her generous heart and compassionate nature. She spent many of her working years caring for residents and patients at both the Westwood Nursing Home and Golden Valley Memorial hospital in Clinton. She always took a personal interest in others. When she asked how you were doing, she genuinely cared what the answer was. She always did her best to make others feel special and loved.
Linda had many interests which included crocheting, working puzzle books, reading, and watching crime dramas. Of all her hobbies, she loved collecting and sharing recipes the most. She often spent her time filling her own notebooks with them and sharing them on social media. Hardly a day went by without her posting some tasty new recipe she found, especially desserts and sweets. She would be delighted to know that others will continue to enjoy her recipes and maybe even make one to honor her memory.
Linda’s greatest legacy is found in the values she instilled in her family. These include her faith in God, her pride in her Cherokee heritage, her fierce loyalty, and her never-ending and unconditional love for her children. We will miss her gentle and loving spirit and she will forever be remembered in all of our hearts.
Linda is survived by her children, Robert Easter of Clinton, MO, Sherrie (Brad) McElwee of Holt, MO, Jake Easter of Lee’s Summit, MO, her daughter-in-law Peggy Easter of Clinton, MO as well as her pride and joys; her grandchildren; Cody Easter, Danielle Mullen, Dillon McElwee, Dalton McElwee, Mikael Easter, and Devin McElwee and her great-grandchildren; Landon, Avery, and Corbin. She also leaves behind her beloved “baby dog”, Little Jake.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.
