Linda Kaye Ketcher

Linda Kaye Ketcher began her life’s journey on August 21, 1948 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Reverend Key and Anna (Fourkiller) Ketcher, she was one of four children to bless the home. Linda was not one to let the grass grow under her feet, always looking to help others. After high school she received her Bachelors in Arts from Northeastern State University in in 1970. Then continued on to University of Oklahoma for her master’s degree in 1973. Years later, she finished her goal by earning her PhD in social work from the University of Arkansas in 2008. Using her education to its fullest, Linda worked tirelessly her entire life to better the lives of others, especially the lives of her fellow tribal members. Working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, she was able to assist with many projects such as the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Linda served in several capacities under the leadership of Wilma Mankiller such as Director within Behavioral Health, as Deputy Director of the Health Department, Executive Manager, and led staff training and development. She taught classes in Social Work at the University of Oklahoma in Norman and Tulsa Campus. Linda’s journey was filled with a life of learning, educating and especially helping better the lives of others. Though her work and education kept her more than a little busy, she always found time to relax doing a bead work, making jewelry or just setting down to have a nice conversation with friends and family. Linda was of the Southern Baptist faith and on October 22, 2021, the Lord called her home from life’s journey in Tahlequah, OK at the age of 73. Her loved ones will miss her dearly, but will always remember the legacy she leaves behind in her life’s work of helping others.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Don Guy and second husband, John Goodrich, and two nephews, Steven Ray Ketcher and Zachary Ray Ketcher.

Those left to cherish her memory include her siblings, two brothers, Larry “Pudge” Ketcher and wife Jody of Tahlequah, OK and Raymond Ketcher and wife Nanette of Bunch, OK, along with one sister, Louella “Pat” Dry and husband Doug of Tahlequah, OK and one aunt, Lucille (Fourkiller) Wilson of Stilwell, OK. Her legacy lives on through her three neices, KeAnna Dry of Wilburton, OK, Lynsey Dry of Tahlequah, OK and Kortney Dry of Tahlequah, OK, two nephews, Ray Dry of Allen, OK and Mitchell King of Spokane, MO, as well as a host of cousins, friends and loved ones.

Funeral Services for Linda Kaye Ketcher will be held on Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 at 10:00am at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Donnie Sanders officiating and readings by Mark Wilson, Lynsey Dry and Pastor Chuck Glass. Linda will be laid to rest at Tahlequah City Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Monday, October 25th, 2021 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Those serving as pallbearers are Mark Wilson, Benton McClelland, Lynsey Dry, Danny Ray Ketcher, Ray Dry, and Mitchell King, with honorary pallbearers, Gary Dan Davis, Gordon “Chief” Wilson, David Stand, Juke Fourkiller and Jeremy Ketcher. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.