Linda R. Woods, a longtime resident of Thatcher, entered into eternal life Sunday evening, December 31, 2023, at her residence. Linda was 83.
Linda was born on April 17, 1940, to Orval Neddo Lloyd and Thoma Clawson Lloyd in Yakima, Washington. She was raised in Mesa, Arizona and attended Mesa schools. She was active in many music and theater groups.
While attending Arizona State University, Linda met her sweetheart, Glenn Woods. After dating for a little while, they were married on September 9, 1960, in the Mesa LDS Temple and lived in Phoenix. While Glenn began teaching school, continued his education, and eventually went into educational administration, Linda enjoyed being a wife and mother to their growing family of nine children. The Woods family moved back to Glenn’s hometown of Thatcher in 1980 so they could raise their family in a smaller community.
Linda was musically accomplished and served as the ward organist and ward choir pianist for many decades. She loved accompanying others for special numbers at church, school, and funerals. Linda was also a skilled seamstress and especially enjoyed sewing some of her daughters’ wedding dresses. Linda claimed she could only cook a handful of meals, but they were all delicious, especially her amazing roast dinners every Sunday. She was a connoisseur of old movies and enjoyed introducing others to movies they would not have seen otherwise.
Linda was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and supported her husband Glenn in his many church callings. Following Glenn’s retirement, Glenn and Linda served together in the Mesa Temple for five years. In October 2005, they were called on a Family and Church History Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the Guest Services area. After they returned from their mission, they served in The Gila Valley Temple for many years.
All six of Linda’s sons served missions to Argentina, Florida, Chile (2), Kentucky-Louisville, and Idaho.
Linda was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who took immense joy in her posterity. Nothing made her happier than learning she was going to have a new grandbaby or great grandbaby. Since Glenn’s passing in May, she gained a new granddaughter Caroline Grace and a new great-grandson Ridge Michael. Linda made sure everyone received a special card for their birthday and other holidays and always wrote loving notes in each one. Linda was a friend to all she met and quietly served those around her the best she could. She will be missed by all who know her.
Linda leaves behind: her children, Randall (Natalie), of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Patricia (Mike) Gardner, of Phoenix, Richard (Pamela), of Thatcher, Robert-deceased (Susan), of Tempe, Michael (Kimberly), of San Tan Valley, Jennifer (Jerry) Hampton, of Houston, Texas; Daniel, of Mesa, Steven (Danielle), of Cave Creek and Donna (David) Williams, of Lexington, Tennessee; twenty-seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; her siblings, Anita Jensen, Judy Ries, Debra Ward (Steve) and Barry Lloyd (Jill). Linda was predeceased by: her beloved husband of 62 years, Glenn, in May of 2023; her mother, Thoma Clawson Lloyd; her father, Orval Neddo Lloyd; and her son, Robert Ray Woods; her brother, Roger Lloyd; a sister-in-law, Cheryl Lloyd; and brothers-in-law, David Jensen, Ken Ries, Bailey Ray ‘Woody’ Woods, Jr., Varin B. Woods, Harold J. ‘Hack’ Woods and O. Kent Woods.
The family will receive friends Friday morning, January 12, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Vining Funeral Home’s “Chapel of the Valley”.
A private family celebration of Linda’s life will follow. Linda will be buried in the Thatcher Cemetery.
Those who would like to attend the services via Facebook Live can join on Vining Funeral Home’s Facebook page, Friday morning, January 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
