Linda Jean Douthit, 85, of China Spring, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at a local hospice facility.
Funeral Service: 10AM Monday, March 4 at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park.
Visitation: 3 to 5PM Sunday, March 3 at Lake Shore Funeral Home.
Linda was born December 3, 1938 in Waco to Linton Tyler “Buck” and Virginia Imogene “Gene” (Thomas) Buckner. She a proud graduate of Baylor University where she received her Bachelors in English Literature and Education. Her passion for correct grammar and stellar typing skills was not only a field of study but also a lifelong pursuit. She went on to teach thousands of students in her 43 year career branching across Central Texas. She cherished each student she ever served including those from University High School, Connally ISD, LaVega ISD, and finally China Spring ISD; even the ones who put scorpions in her desk.
China Spring is where the Lord planted her roots. Linda was proud of the homestead her and Lonnie built and cultivated there. It’s the place where she raised her family, and spoiled several generations of grandchildren. One of Linda’s most prized accomplishments was her Annual Staff, which she oiled into perfection. Many years of the China Spring Yearbook were memorialized under her watchful eye, and aren’t we lucky that they will live on forever. The China Spring Tabernacle is also the location of the highly secret Civic Club meetings she attended. I’m not sure any of us know what she actually did with all her girlfriends there, but it sure made her happy.
Linda also had a whole community of friends in her home away from home, Silverton, Colorado. Like clockwork, across many decades, you could find Linda, Lonnie, and their pets on the four-wheeler passes way up in the mountains. She made sure to share her adventures with her family and friends, inviting them along to pan for gold, eat the world’s best funnel cakes, and to enjoy many meals cooked in cast iron while sitting at the same well-worn picnic tables over the years. She may have considered herself the Zilch and Chickenfoot queen, but her title is quite contested by those who love her most.
Linda loved things, lots of things, gently put- if you needed something, she probably had it in all the colors and sizes, with duplicates to spare. It is part of what made her most endearing and also sometimes stubborn. One of the things she loved most was her books. She wasn’t a snob and collected anything with words, but her favorite by far were her books about romance, followed closely by her books with twisting mysteries to solve. Watching her and Lonnie’s love of reading encouraged that same love amongst those who looked up to them.
In her later years, Linda decided to tackle the world wide web. All was going well until she met Facebook. Quickly, Facebook rivaled her one other life-long addiction: Dr. Pepper. Her active “green light” was always glowing, giving a new meaning to “burning the midnight oil”. More times than any of us would like to admit, she figured out how to add something (by accident), but never mastered the delete function. This led to several jaw-dropping memories that are best left undisclosed. However, Facebook is also the place where you can learn all about her loves, her quirks, her humor, and everything else under the sun. She captured herself better than any of us ever could.
Linda was a member of Bosqueville Baptist Church.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Connie and Lola Douthit; brother, George Buckner; step-daughter, Kim Girard; granddaughter, Shelby Jo Helona; and great grandson, Leighton Richard Brantner.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 65 years, Lonnie Joe Douthit; daughter, Laurie Jo Helona; step-daughter, Lea Black and husband Roy; granddaughters, Fallon Brantner and husband Kyle, Hillary Helona, and Celissa Jackson; grandsons, RJ Black, Brandon Girard, and Shannon Girard; great-grandchildren, Seiver Sandoval, Mikaela and Michael Ruiz, Jr., Kyler and Amity Brantner; and great great-granddaughter, Adelaide McKay; as well as many other extended family members.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Brantner, Chad Boen, Michael Ruiz, Jr., Jacob McKay, Randy Westbrook, and Ronnie Stevenson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Linda’s honor to The Humane Society of Central Texas, 2032 Circle Rd, Waco, TX 76706.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
Lonnie, Laurie and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Linda was an amazing lady, great teacher ( who have fond memories ) to our children. and will be remembered with great affection. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers.
Dear Lonnie, Laurie and family,
A superb English teacher at Connally High! I had her class in grade 10 in 1962. Prayers for the family.
Class of 1964
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for allowing us to help care for her.
Mrs Douthit was one of a kind!! I remember her telling us in 8th grade how she got her drivers license at 14 years. She taught both parents, uncles, aunts, & myself.. She truly was a sweet soul. Prayers for the family.
So sorry to hear. She was a wonderful and fun spirited woman and a very caring teacher. Linda and Lonnie were wonderful friends to my parents. My parents very much enjoyed the trips to Colorado with them. She will be missed so much by so many. It was an honor and a blessing to know her.
She done good (Satire one last time for Linda). May God hold Lonnie and family close during this difficult time.
Sorry for your loss
Laurie & family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. ‘LD’ was loved and respected by so many. She was my favorite teacher in high school and I enjoyed reconnecting with her years ago through social media. We had many late night chats! She will be missed.
I’m very sorry that I will not be able to make your mom’s service. She was my absolute favorite teacher at China Spring. She believed in me when I certainly didn’t believe in myself.
I was so sad to hear about Mrs Douthit’s passing. It was so cool to reconnect with her on FB after getting a “hey, do you remember me” message in my messenger asking for a friend request. My response was “how in the world could I ever forget you!” Praying for you all during your time of loss, she was absolutely the sweetest and I consider myself lucky to have known her.
Mel Priest
Lonnie,Laurie, and family,
Condolences and prayer to the Douthit family from the Carpenter family.
Words cannot express my respect, appreciation, and love for Linda and her educational work. She was always a pleasure to work with in my years at China Spring, and touched the lives of everyone she met. If things in Heaven are not in order and working to perfection, Linda will soon have the corrections in place.
Jimmie and Nancy Carpenter
Lonnie and family,
It was an honor to know Linda. Every time I visited with Linda and Lonnie, I left feeling happy! She lived a superb life as is evident from all the condolences and what I knew of her as well. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Richard Kruger
I am praying for you Lonnie, and your family. I didn’t find out about Linda until late this afternoon. May God be with you during this time.
Thoughts and prayers for all of you. Linda was a great teacher and became a wonderful friend later in life. She definitely loved her family with all of her heart!
She was my typing teacher in HS, but I got to know her later in life thru her family and she was a delight. So kind and loving, she will be remembered fondly. RIP