Linda McClure

Linda Marie Brackett McClure was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 29, 1950 to Rena Marie Drake Brackett, and Elijah Potts Brackett. Linda grew up as the older of 2 children. Linda grew up in St. Bernard, Ohio. She, along with her family, attended the Highland Avenue Baptist Church. She attended St. Bernard High School, graduating in 1968 with an emphasis on secretarial/administrative assistant training. She was a member of the National Honor Society. As a 12 year old, her Father Elijah passed away suddenly. This difficult experience required Linda, Shirley and their mother Marie to rely on each other and loving extended family members. Although difficult, this experience strengthened Linda's bond to and love of her extended family. On August 5, 1972, Linda married Wayne Edgar McClure in Cincinnati. They were blessed with 2 children, Janetta and Brian, as well as Wayne's children Kathleen, Anthony, Mary Jo, and Nancy. On March 24, 1979, Wayne and Linda were sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Washington DC Temple. Linda was a full time Mother when her 2 children were young, but due to some health concerns for her husband, she had to return to full time work outside the home. She worked at Kemper Toys, Clopay, and later as a secretary for Cincinnati Gas and Electric (now Duke Energy). She had 18 years of service to the power company, with the final years of service working as an Administrative Assistant to one of the company's vice presidents. During her working years she was also part of an Association of Administrative Assistants, serving for a time as the President of the Association.

On September 23, 1970, Linda followed the Savior Jesus Christ in being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Linda was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ throughout her life. Her faith and testimony of the Savior and His Gospel carried her through and gave her peace during many difficult life challenges. Linda was valiant in her service as a primary teacher teaching children, ward activities committee leader, and home visiting teacher. Some of Linda's greatest acts of service to others came as she ministered personally in the homes of other church sisters. Her service was not limited to just her service in the church but included very personal acts of service to immediate and extended family as well as her many friends and acquaintances.

A special time of service for Linda was when she and Wayne, along with several dear church friends, were called to serve in the Columbus, Ohio Temple. This required sacrifice as they had to leave home at 4 AM to drive for their service in the temple each week. The Lord blessed and strengthened her in this service and she was able to serve in the temple for 2 years. This service deepened her love and concern for her immediate and extended family. She worked extensively on her family history and genealogy, making connections with living extended family members and discovering the identities of countless ancestors.
Linda was naturally kind and fun loving with those around her. She was quick to make lifelong friends everywhere she went. She felt blessed with these friendships. Even when health declines limited her ability to reach out to friends and family, she often spoke lovingly of the people that were dear to her heart. In her final years, she was quick to make friends with staff, and fellow residents in the Assisted Living and Nursing home facilities. Her personal positive touch with others seemed to bring out the best in those around her.

Among her many friends, a special group of friends to Wayne and Linda in their mature years were members of their Empty Nester Family Home Evening Group. This group met often and their time together was truly a highlight of their week. Their interaction was a joy for Linda and Wayne not just socially but also spiritually. This group was truly a family. When Linda and Wayne had to move from Ohio relatively suddenly, this group was among those who were quick to answer a call to help.

Linda's fun loving nature had an adventurous side in that she loved to go on vacations. She and Wayne loved to travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They also frequently visited their dear friends Tom and Fran Cearly in Slidell, Louisiana. They loved to visit family including trips to Utah, New Jersey, Indiana, Kentucky, and Idaho. In their later years, Wayne and Linda enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, and the Grand Cayman Islands.

In 2014, life changed for Linda and Wayne when Linda experienced a life threatening stroke. This left her with physical and cognitive limitations. These health issues, as well as health issues for her husband Wayne, led them to get packed up and moved across the country to Nampa, Idaho. For a time Linda lived with daughter Janetta and her family, while Wayne, who had greater care needs, lived in Park Place Assisted Living. Despite living in different places, Linda spent much of her time near Wayne's side in the assisted living. Later, as Linda's physical function declined, she joined Wayne at Park Place where she and Wayne had a slower paced life as they shared years together in the assisted living. They were quick to make friends with both residents and staff alike. In 2019, Linda's physical capacity declined further and she moved to Wellspring of Cascadia Nursing Home. Again, she was quick to make friends with the people around her. Due to Covid, it became difficult to visit in person with Wayne which was a great challenge for both of them. A tender mercy of the Lord was evident when Wayne was briefly able to be admitted to Linda's nursing home for rehab. During this time, while Wayne was briefly in the same nursing home as Linda, his health rapidly declined and Linda was able to be by his side as he passed away. Two years after Wayne passed away, Linda's health further declined. On Sunday, September 3rd 2023, Linda Marie McClure passed away peacefully at the age of 73.

Linda touched many lives and will be greatly missed by the many people she influenced and were lucky enough to call her a friend. Linda looked forward to the future reunion with her husband and immediate and extended family members and is certainly now rejoicing to be with them again.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, mother Marie, father Elijah, and dear sister Shirley. She is survived by brother in law Roland (Shirley) Breedlove, daughter Janetta (Austin) Graham, son Brian (Becky) McClure, step daughter Kathleen (Jeff) Radcliffe, step son Anthony McClure, step daughter Mary Jo Richardson, and step daughter Nancy Smith. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren including: Haysannah, Shalyce, Asher, Jude, Emma, Jonah, Chris, Amy, Eric, Jackie, Jaeger, Grayson, and Nicky. Linda is also survived by 9 great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Park Place Assisted Living in Nampa Idaho, the staff of Wellspring of Cascadia in Nampa Idaho, and Heart and Home Hospice.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday September 9, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints Chapel at 8250 Cornell Road, Montgomery, Ohio at 10 AM, preceded by the viewing at 9 AM.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hodapp Funeral Home at 6410 Cincinnati Dayton Rd., Liberty Township, Ohio.