Linda Kay Berna

Linda Kay Gossett Berna, beloved wife of Paul A. Berna, passed into the eternal care of her God and Savior and her heavenly reward on March 6, 2023, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by her loving family at Florida Memorial Hospital. Linda was born March 5, 1955, to Frank and Virginia Gossett in Albany, Georgia. She was Paul's loving wife, devoted helpmate and partner in life for forty-six years. Linda was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Frank, Jr. She is survived by her devoted husband, Paul of Jacksonville, FL, and sisters Jean Phillips of Albany, GA, and Janice Ford of Gettysburg, PA. Linda is also survived by nieces Tina Granade (Chad) of Shelby, NC, and their three children; Hannah Ford of Brooklyn, NY; Amelia Ford of Huntingdon, PA; and nephews Timothy Phillips (Amanda) of Palm Coast, FL, and their two children; and Lee Ford of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by a circle of loving cousins. Linda was predeceased by her nephew Jerry Phillips.

Linda attended Dougherty County School System until she transferred to Riverview Academy; she graduated from Riverview in 1972. She went on to Albany Junior College and graduated in 1974. It was there where she met the love of her life, Paul,and they married in 1977. They made their first move together to Hawaii. Linda served her country as the military spouse of a U.S. Marine Corps officer for twenty years, through many moves and Paul's deployments.

Linda and Paul retired to Jacksonville in 1996. Linda was an avid crafter; she was talented at quilting, cross stitching, floral arranging, beading, and origami. She served as president of three quilt guilds: Croatan Quilters Guild, River City Piecemakers, and the Pieceful Quilters, and she surely collected a record number of fat quarters during her prime quilting years. Linda also served as president of the Hidden Oaks Garden Circle. Linda enjoyed many hours in the company of dear friends at the Jim Fortuna Senior Center. She was a wicked canasta and trivia player, plus participated in many other activities with friends. Linda never turned down the opportunity to enjoy a margarita with her husband and sisters.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Critical Care Unit of Memorial Hospital for their outstanding care, concern and support throughout Linda's time there. Many thanks also to the neighbors, friends and Paul's running companions for their thoughtfulness and support.

A visitation will be held in Linda's honor on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. John's Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, Florida 32225 beginning at 5:30 PM.

Another visitation will be held the following day on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors, 1503 Dawson Road, Albany, Georgia 31707, beginning at 3:00 PM. A graveside service will immediately follow the visitation at Crown Hill Cemetery, 1907 Dawson Road, Albany, Georgia 31707.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com for the Berna family.