Linda Jane Kirby

Linda was the only child of Pearl Borden and her adopted father John Borden. She was born in Austin, Texas, on August 28, 1946. She spent her formative years in Dallas, Texas, where she graduated from Bryan Adams High School and then attended East Texas State University.

Linda married in 1968 and had three sons, John Kenneth Kirby, III, Matthew Thomas Kirby, and Brent Andrew Kirby. That marriage ultimately ended, but Linda found her greatest joy in raising and loving her children. Linda spent much of her life as a hard-working single mother, sacrificing personal pursuits to serve her family. As God often does, He rewarded Linda later in life by reuniting her with her childhood sweetheart Randy Carter in 2013. The two spent the rest of Linda’s life together sharing the type of love you typically only read about in love stories. They were best friends, life partners, and shared an uncommon mutual abounding love. They enjoyed traveling the country and were formally married on March 11, 2020, on one of their adventures to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Linda’s life was further enriched in her later years with the discovery of a half-sister, Joanne Hough, and niece, Cathi Hopping, and those ensuing relationships.

Linda was thankful for and treasured her three daughters-in-law, Shonda Denise Kirby, Amy Lynne Kirby, and Brianne Kay Kirby. Linda was blessed with seven grandchildren, Faith Elizabeth Kirby, Caleb Matthew Kirby, Reese Lynn Kirby, Jude Andrew Kirby, Alexa Jane Kirby, Austin Jacob Kirby, and Abigail Pearl Kirby. Nana, as she was lovingly called, enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren and adored spending time with them.

To know Linda was to know love. She was a Godly woman with a type of silent strength that is often overlooked. She attempted to bear the weight of the world in an effort to protect the ones she loved. She was the embodiment of selfless love and was always available to provide an understanding ear, an empathetic heart, and Godly wisdom.

Whether you called her Mom, Nana, My lovely Linda, or friend, her presence was a blessing in life.