Linda Grace Burkhart, an independent spirit, entered the world on the 3rd of October in 1953 at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. As the cherished baby in a family of four older siblings, she grew to young adulthood in the nearby small town of Lenoir City, Tennessee.
At the age of 17, Linda set out to find her own way in the world. That journey led her to Jack Gregory and they were married in Nashville, Tennessee in 1971. Over the next decade, Linda and Jack were blessed with three beautiful children, Paul Matthew, Christian Grace, and Mary Elizabeth. Sadly their marriage did not endure.
Single mom Linda moved to California in the early 1980s and set about raising her children there. With limited resources, she managed the impossible. All three have grown into responsible and caring adults. In recent years, daughter Christian Grace blessed Linda and Jack with two adorable granddaughters, Emily Grace and Abigail.
Linda's life was never easy, not for Linda or for those who loved her. Even as a small child, she had a mind of her own. For 53 years, Linda faced each of life's struggle with fierce independence and determined self-reliance. Her death in California's summer heat wave was a tragedy, a battle her self-reliance could not win.
We who knew Linda Grace through her years as a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend pray her passing was gentle, that on that unbearably hot day the angels happened her way and tenderly took her struggle-weary heart to God.
A poor -- torn heart -- a tattered heart --
That sat it down to rest --
Nor noticed that the Ebbing Day
Flowed silver to the West --
Nor noticed Night did soft descend --
Nor Constellation burn --
Intent upon the vision
Of latitudes unknown.
The angels -- happening that way
This dusty heart espied --
Tenderly took it up from toil
And carried it to God --
There -- sandals for the Barefoot --
There -- gathered from the gales --
Do the blue havens by the hand
Lead the wandering Sails.
Poem: "A Poor -- Torn Heart -- A Tattered Heart" by Emily Dickinson
