Linda Elaine Fletcher Eppes, 74, of Teague, Texas passed away on January 3, 2020.
Born in Freeport, Texas to Arnold and Bernice Fletcher, Linda was the eldest of three daughters. After graduating with honors at Texas State University she married Gerald Eppes. Linda and Gerald moved to Freestone and she went on to practice as a Speech and Language Pathologist in Teague and Wortham schools. During her thirty years in her career, Linda loved her time with the students and cherished them all. She received multiple letters from physicians and surgeons thanking her for assisting them in acquiring the medical attention her students needed. Linda found her joy and true calling with the birth of her daughter Erin Eppes of Teague. Linda made sure that Erin was a part of many trips, experiences, and just time together that would enrich both of their lives forever. She was never happier than the times she planned new adventures that would create life long memories for her daughter. Linda was a faithful servant of God and held an active role in The First Baptist Church of Teague. Teaching Sunday school, volunteering on many church activities and boards, as well as ensuring Communion altar guild duties. Linda especially enjoyed being outside and working with her flowers. She cultivated her azaleas that covered the front of her home, spending hours keeping them healthy and beautiful.
Linda retired to spend time with her two grandsons, Barrett and Blake Maggard, of Teague until they were old enough to begin school. Linda cherished these moments, and was proud to be called Shuggie. She also had a very strong relationship with her nephew Jude Gutierrez of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Linda would travel to Albuquerque and spend weeks with her sister Suzanne, brother in law Dan, and Jude. She would spoil Jude and make countless special memories at every special birthday, Christmas, Easter and summer vacation. Linda was very close to her niece Stephanie Ward. She took great care in being always present for Stephanie after the passing of Linda’s sister, Stephanie’s Mom. Linda was more than Aunt to Stephanie, she was Stephanie’s trusted mentor.
She will be greatly missed for her dry wit, deep compassion for all her students, her deep faith, and the role she played in our lives as beloved mother, grandmother, sister, sister in law, and Aunt.
Linda waspreceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Bernice Fletcher; and her belovedsister Judy Bovard.
She is survived by her daughter Erin Eppes of Teague, her grandsons Barrett and Blake Maggard, her sister Suzanne Fletcher Gutierrez of Albuquerque, brother in law The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutierrez of Albuquerque/Philadelphia, her nephew Jude Fletcher Gutierrez of Albuquerque, niece Stephanie Ward of Tracy, California, her children Jazmyn, Jaida and Josh Ward, and Stephanie’s husband Nate, and Gerald Eppes of Teague.
The family is requesting special memories, thoughts or stories of Linda be submitted below on Bowers Funeral Home website or email : eeppes1379@gmail.com
A memorial for Linda will be given later in the year. Details regarding this will be available through Bowers Funeral home at that time.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to: Bi-County CO-OP, attn Bill Capers, P.O. Box 735, Fairfield, Texas 75840.
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.
