Zella Leora Linker

Our MawMaw, Leora Linker went peacefully HOME to be with her Family on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019. Zella Leora (Sturgeon) Linker, age 94 years, 9 months and 16 days was born in Yanush, Oklahoma on September 17th, 1924, the daughter of Edward and Novella (Hokit) Sturgeon. Leora attended school and spent her life in the Yanush and Buffalo Valley areas. She married the love of her life, RJ Linker, January 22nd, 1944. She and PawPaw always loved telling us the story of how it was warm on that January day and how he walked from Buffalo Valley to Wilburton to get their marriage license. They were married for 64 years. Unto this union was born a son, Alfred Andrew Linker and a daughter, Reta Yvette (Linker) Palmer. MaMaw was a woman with a strong Christian Faith, she led us all by example. She never hesitated to open her Bible anytime trouble came along, she had a scripture for everything. She always had a smile on her face, even when she wasn't feeling well, she wore that smile. She loved the Buffalo Valley and Yanush Communities and the people who live in them. She loved watching the Oklahoma City Thunder Games and Hee Haw. You would find her on Sunday mornings when she couldn't go to church, watching Joel Olsteen or listening to her gospel or blue grass music. She loved her family dearly, each of us, and we knew it. She always supported us in what ever we chose to do, from sports to racing cars she was there cheering us on. She enjoyed spending time with her family and her friends. She especially got a kick out of watching her great-great grandbabies play and grow and listening to their giggles. She was of the Baptist Faith and was a member of the Cupco Freewill Baptist Church in Yanush, Oklahoma. MawMaw was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Novella Sturgeon; her husband, RJ Linker; their daughter, Yvette Palmer; their son, Alfred Linker and her sister, Lenora (Nona) Linker. She is survived by her four grandchildren, Scott Palmer and wife Dawnda, Cyndi Campbell and husband Joe, Stephanie Linker and David Linker. Seven great-grandchildren, Kalen Palmer and wife Patricia, Keaton Palmer and Courtney Kilpatrick, Brittany Choat and husband Jared, Rikki Henson and husband Orrin, Hunter Carter and Sierra Blackwell, Hayden Campbell and wife Brittany and Kaylyn Griggs; ten great-great grandchildren, Karson and Maci Palmer, Ayden, Scarlett and Maevyn Choat, Olivia and Sophie Henson, James Carter, Hayven and Mason Campbell; two sisters, Geneva Brown, Rita Cross and husband Al, one brother Melvin Sturgeon and wife Carolyn, son-in-law Rick Palmer, daughter-in-law Linda Linker; step-grandsons, Tim Stone and wife Wanda, Bobby Pinley and wife Samantha, step-great grandchildren Garrett, Brandon and Cooper Pinley, Timberline and Bridgett Stone; one step-great great grandchild. Pallbearers: Scott Palmer, David Linker, Kalen Palmer, Keaton Palmer, Hunter Carter, and Hayden Campbell. Honorary Pallbearers: Rick Palmer, Joe Campbell, Orrin Henson, Jared Choat, Gary Morris, J.T. Collins, Brittany Choat and Rikki Henson. The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to those who gave their time, their help and their love during this chapter of MawMaw's life. Special thanks to Scott and Dawnda and their children, Kalen , Keaton, Patricia, Courtney, and Kaylyn. Thank you to Rick Palmer, MawMaw's Nieces (Glenna Brenda, and Greta) and their families. The kind neighbor Ester, the nurses and employees of May's Home Health, the nurses and employees of Heartland Hospice, the nurses and employees of Talihina Nursing Home (LeAnn, Bobby, and Sherry). Thank you to those who helped with doctor visits and those who took the time to stop by and see her, for the phone calls, text messages and most especially for your prayers. Funeral Services will be at the Cupco Freewill Baptist Church, Yanush, OK Monday, July 8th, 2019 at 10:00 am, Lee Humphreys and Rodney Tate Officiating. Services are under the direction of McCarn Funeral Service of Talihina, OK in conjunction with the Campbell-Cast Funeral Home in Holden Missouri.

Zella Leora Linker

September 17, 1924 - July 3, 2019