Linda Kaye Todd

On January 23, 2025, Linda Todd passed away in the loving care and support of family and friends in her home in Meridian, Mississippi. Linda is preceded in death by her beloved Daddy, Mack Todd. Linda is survived by her mother, Velma Todd, and her sisters, Jo Ella Todd (Dan Urton) of Virginia Beach, VA, Suzanne Todd of Chapel Hill, NC, and Maxine Todd (Aldacy Montenegro) of Virginia Beach. She is also survived by her dearly loved nephew (partner in crime and giggles) Sloan Meek and his best friend Wendy Lincicome of Durham, NC.

Born on June 13, 1945 in Bedford, Indiana to Velma Bodenhamer Todd and Mack Todd, Linda grew up in a lively household with three younger sisters and many opportunities to develop leadership. In her young life the family moved frequently, and Linda found making friends her forte. Well-liked and successful in school, Linda graduated from Gosnell High School, Gosnell, AR in 1963. There she had the honor of being named Miss Gosnell High School and paraded through town and at games as a drum majorette and baton twirler in the high school band.  Linda then went into nursing, a career that fulfilled her professionally and personally. She received her nursing training at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee, her bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and her master’s degree from Memphis State University.

Linda’s nursing career was varied and provided her with many opportunities to mentor nurses and improve nursing care. At Methodist Hospital of Memphis, she provided clinical care, Cardiac Rehab Program support and nursing education. She was Director of the Cardiac Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit at St. Bernard’s Medical System in Jonesboro Arkansas, head nurse in the Emergency Department at San Juan Public Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Director of Nursing at Rebsamen Hospital in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Over the last few decades, in her role as Vice President of Nursing at Anderson Hospital of Meridian she fully utilized her exceptional leadership skills as she provided both the administrative and professional support her nurses needed. A relentless advocate for her nurses, she was known for her remarkable compassion and appreciated by her staff, students, patients, and colleagues. She believed nursing made a difference in health care delivery. She participated at many preventive health drives, educating people about how to care for their health. She treasured the colleagues she met as a member of many professional nursing organizations. As Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the Mississippi Nursing Association District XVI, Linda used her leadership to advocate for nurses and the quality of health care in Mississippi.

Though Linda never realized her dream of living at the ocean, throughout her life she found ways in her travels to enjoy the warmth of the sun, a dip in the ocean, and the sand beneath her feet with family and friends.

For the past 20 years Linda lived with her Mom, Velma. Together they laughed, cooked, hosted family and friends and enjoyed the blessings of each other’s company. Music was central to her life. Though she had eclectic taste in music, Jimmy Buffet and Queen always brought a smile. But it was singing with Sloan, her three sisters and her Mom that warmed her heart and sustained her. It was the strength of their family bond that provided Linda with humor and support throughout her life and especially during her last year.

Linda’s wit came effortlessly.  She could weave a story that had family and friends howling with laughter even before she reached the end. Part of the joy family and friends had while listening to her was her unique ability to inadvertently throw in malaprops – a true master of malaprops.   As with her wit, her compassion was sincere and seemingly effortless and boundless. She listened and heard. She lent a hand, offered solace or advice, and people felt safe when she was near. She truly ‘never met a stranger’ and will be remembered for the special way she touched each each person.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, February 1, 2025 at NorthPark Church in Meridian, MS from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.  Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reality Ministries, P.O. Box 242, Durham, NC, 27702, or the charity of your choice.