Linda Jo Farrington Keene was born in Lawrenceburg, TN, on March 2, 1948. She put on her Lord Jesus Christ and was born again on August 16, 1962, when she was baptized for the remission of sins at the Woods St. church of Christ in Sherman, TX. Linda passed peacefully at her home in Quitman, TX, on August 15, 2018, from complications associated with Lewy Body Dementia.
Linda’s family moved to Sherman, TX, in the early 1950’s. She graduated from Sherman High School and attended Grayson County College. In 1970, Linda graduated from East Texas State University with a secondary English teaching degree.
Linda met Mark Keene at Woods St. church of Christ in 1964, and they married on August 1, 1969. After marrying, the Keenes moved to Howe, TX, and began their teaching careers. Mark taught math at Howe Middle School, and Linda taught English at Whitewright High School, then later at Howe Middle School. Between the years of 1972-1976, the couple welcomed three daughters into their home; Casey Dawn, Heidi Janette, and Meg Leigh. Linda put her teaching career on hold to be a stay-at-home mama to her three girls. Her children remember her as a kind, patient, and loving mother who, by example, reared them to live godly lives. She was a generous individual who loved dedicating her time and energy to her family and friends. She especially cherished camping trips and walking outdoors with her husband of 49 years.
Linda was an educator at heart and was greatly appreciated by administrators, co-workers, students and parents. Mrs. Keene taught English for 30 years, however, she left her students with so much more. One of her first-year students wrote, “My favorite teacher who really seems more like a friend than a teacher,” and a last year student added, “Your high spirits wake me up in the morning…I’ve not just learned English in your class, but many life lessons that I will remember.”
Linda was an active and dedicated member of the Howe church of Christ for 40 years and in 2008, the couple moved to Quitman, TX where she was a member of the Quitman church of Christ until her death. Over the years, she served the Lord’s church by teaching cradle roll, VBS, visiting the elderly and sick, and preparing meals for those in need. Linda is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her Creator.
Linda is survived by her husband, Robert “Mark” Keene; her daughters Casey Dawn Keene Busby and husband Mark Alan Busby of Coke, TX; Heidi Janette Keene Laux an husband Michael Andrew Laux of Camden, TN; and Meg Leigh Keene Day and husband Adam Lyn Day of Ramer, TN; her grandchildren Samantha Meidi Busby, Bailey Mozell Busby, Lexi Mae Busby, Tell Michael Laux, Silas Hugh Laux, Lynleigh Blair Day, Addi Lyn Day, and Russell Thomas Day; and her brother, Mark Steven Farrington.
She is preceded in death by her parents, William Otho Farrington and Josephine Elizabeth Bruton Farrington; her aunt, Betty June Bruton; her uncle, Kenneth Bruton; one baby Keene; and one grandbaby Laux.
A memorial service will be held in honor of Linda’s Christian life at the Howe church of Christ on Saturday, August 18th, with visitation at 10:00 am, memorial service at 11:00 am, and an additional visitation for one hour after the service. Burial will be in Tennessee at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Linda’s family requests that donations be made to: Medina’s Children Home, 21400 St. Hwy 16 N, Medina, TX 78055; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or In Search of the Lord’s Way, P.O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083.