She was born August 25th, 1950 in Kansas City to Betty Galbraith (Lanham). Linda was the second born child and only daughter. She was the sister of Robert Lockard, Duane Lockard, Joe Lockard, and Sam Lynn.
Linda grew up in Kansas City alongside her brothers and attended and graduated from Raytown Senior High School. After High School she entered the workforce, gaining employment at Hallmark Cards.
In 1970 Linda Married Michael Dale Kelley and in the following years became a mother to Michelle Smith (Kelley), Jennifer Wheeler (Kelley), and John Kelley. In addition to being a mother to her three children, Linda continued to work, first at Hallmark Cards, followed by Kaiser Permanente Insurance and then for Coventry Insurance Company, for whom she worked until her retirement.
Throughout her life, Linda sought joy through family and close friends. She loved to laugh and saw beauty in all things. Linda was an avid collector and salesperson of Longaberger Baskets; her collection famed among those who knew her lovingly as “the basket lady”.
Those who knew Linda knew just how deep her love of family ran. She kept every keepsake which represented the accolades and achievements of her grandchildren, and displayed them proudly. She never passed up an opportunity to share photos of her darling great-grandchildren and to lament on how quickly they were growing. She coveted the time she got to spend surrounded by her loved ones, a true matriarch and example of maternal strength.
When not with family, Linda was known to be a fervent Game Show Network and History Channel viewer, constantly honing her trivia skills. She took great pleasure in attending the dinner theater with friends.
Linda was a devout and involved member of the First Baptist Church of Shawnee. She actively participated in the Good News Club and JCPL after school programs which her church offered to spread the gospel to elementary aged children. She took great pride in her commitment to Christ and in spreading His word.
She was preceded in death by her mother Betty Galbraith, brother Sam Lynn, and son-in-law Chris Wheeler.
Linda is survived by her children Michelle Smith, Jennifer Wheeler, John Kelley and daughter-in-law Carly, her grandchildren Kaitlynn Smith, Courtney Wheeler (Bryan), Cody Smith, Kelsey Berkley (Ashton), Jacob Smith (Devyn), Colin McNish, and Kennedy McNish and her great grandchildren Ayden Macias, Benjamin Berkley, Cordelia Williams, Lorelei Berkley, and Callan Smith and her brother Robert Lockard and sister-in-law Marsha, brother Joe Lockard and sister-in-law Julie, brother Duane Lockard and sister-in-law Marcia, as well as several beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial donations may be sent to the American Heart Association, Breast Cancer Society and/or First Baptist Church of Shawnee.
A Visitation for Linda will be held Monday, April 10, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will follow at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.
