Linda I Gafford

Talking about someone you love in past-tense is difficult; especially when it was someone who was a very large part of your life. I know we all say, “there was no one like my momma.” I have no doubt that this statement is true for all of our mommas. But let me tell you about how *my* momma was like no other.

For as long as I can remember, my momma’s love language was service. In the oh-dark-dawn of cold mornings, she would rise and prepare us for the school day. She set up our toothbrushes and cups, because if she didn’t, I would eat the toothpaste, or Randy would squeeze out half the tube onto his toothbrush. She would lay out our clothes, because if she didn’t, I would choose the green dress with pink socks, and I think Randy would have just worn whatever he could grab. She would fix us hot rice or oatmeal with butter and sugar. None of it “instant” - but standing over the stove in her nightgown and robe, stirring up a hot breakfast for us. She worked tirelessly with my brother for school; especially spelling and reading. She spent hours, while she did laundry, or any other chore…. Trying to help him learn to spell and pronounce words. She never gave up on him - never. She was a room mother, a baker of cookies, cakes, and puddings, a maker of crafts, and a PTA secretary. She was very involved. However, those things pale in comparison to the most important thing our mother gave us, Jesus. She lead by example and sometimes by force. We WENT to church - whether we wanted to or not. She read her Bible daily, without fail. We would take turns reading the “Our Daily Bread” each morning with her. She was always attending church - choir, WMU, mission friends, VBS, or any other activity in which she could serve. Our mother was a supportive and dedicated friend to many throughout her life. She was tender-hearted and wept for those who wept, and rejoiced with those who rejoiced. She kept track of birthdays and anniversaries and mailed cards. In high school she played the flute in marching band. Her hobbies were cross-stitch, crochet, tri-chem paints, plastic canvas crafts, and reading. At different times she sold Stanley Hair Products, Avon, Mary Kay, and Tupperware. She worked as a bookkeeper most of her life. She worked for several businesses in Pampa before getting a position with Pantex, from which she retired after 20 years of service. She was an active member and queen of the Panhandle Pretties Red Hat Society. Oh what a joy was that season of her life!

She was loved by many and will be deeply missed. Her life touched countless others in ways we will never know. My sweet momma… servant, tender-hearted, kind, and daughter of the One True King.

Linda is survived by her son; Randy L. Campbell of San Francisco, CA, daughter; Diana R. Penn and husband Don of Bushland, TX., brother; Andy Hennig and wife Janie of Panhandle, TX., sister-in-law; Jeannie Hennig of Wheeler, TX, 3 grandchildren Noah Penn od Tyler, TX; Adam Penn of Amarillo TX.; Naomi Penn of Bushland, TX. She is preceded in death by her husband Larry Gafford passing March 2024, brother; Ed Hennig passing December 2023, mother; Noami Speck passing Oct. 2008, step dad; Robert Speck passing December 1986, father; A. John Hennig passing July 1972.