Linda S. Gabbard Arterburn, 70, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022 in Fayetteville. She was born in Fayetteville and graduated from FHS in 1969.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Nina Mae Coleman Gabbard; her father, William H. Gabbard; her brother, Donnie Ray Gabbard; and her step-mother, Winnie E. Hollingsworth Gabbard.
Linda is survived by one brother, James H. Gabbard of Vilonia, AR; 3 nephews; 3 nieces; 7 great-nieces; 2 great-great-nieces; 1 great-nephew; and 1 great-great-nephew.
She also leaves behind her dearest friends, Marsha Brown of Cold Spring, TX, Wendy Chai of Fayetteville, AR, Denise Castro of Tracy, CA, and Sally Martin of Brier, WA.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, April 25, 2022 at Mt. Comfort Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Because of her love of animals, her request was that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to an animal welfare/animal rights organization of their choice.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
My world will forever have a very large space that was left by this wonderful woman. She was a special friend with a heart for animals that I admired so much. Rest in peace dear Bodine, I will never forget you.
Linda was a joy to be around. Loved her. Prayers for her family and many friends
Linda was a dear and sweet soul. She loved her family, friends and animals so very much. She had such a quick wit and good sense of humor – I always loved being around her and visiting with her. I will miss her.
A friend is the person who gets you, understands who you are, keeps you in line, and can talk with you on any subject for hours. No distance can separate our love and admiration for you.
A great loss and we offer our condolences to all of her family and friends she has left behind , she will be missed as not only our neighbor but as a soft spoken conversationalist at the fence in the early evening’s. She was also excited to see us leave for vacations so she could sit and over feed the koi, she did have the love for animals. You will be missed Linda.
Today, Saint Francis has serious competition. And like other saints, she spoke out for those that were less fortunate. When she laughed, people on the other side of the room said “there’s someone who enjoys life!” Her wit was as sharp as a knife, but often a look of her eyes was all that was needed. I am a musician because of my Dad, but my love of music of all kinds and from all peoples is because of her. She taught us that to find yourself you should travel. And in doing so it will remind you how special where you come from truly is. I am a better human being because of her and will miss her.
Stacey, that was a great tribute to your aunt. Thank you!
Linda didn’t mention me among her best friends because we had a ‘fallin’ out’, but we have been best friends since the age of 14 and will forever remain so. We have had several “fallin’ outs” before, but time ran out on this one to be resolved. Linda’s family knows me, my family knew her and she will alway be Linda Gabbard and ever in my thoughts as she has been for 57 years. We had sister kind of memories and secrets: we almost got arrested together, we almost spent the night with our boyfriends together, we skipped school together, we went to concerts together and movies together, we married friends who traveled to California together (without us), she dated my husband before I did, we spend Christmases and Thanksgivings together and unfortunately we started smoking together. We spent more time together than even with our families and I will miss her.
Linda Sue was my cousin, my friend, and my sister. We grew up together after her mother, my beloved Aunt Nina, passed away. Linda was born premature, and my mother, Aunt Nina’s sister, told me that she barely weighed a pound. It was a miracle that she survived and prospered, because Aunt Nina had prayed and prayed for a little girl. She was a real animal lover, as everyone knew, and my daughters affectionately called her the Cat Lady. I could write a book on the antics of our relationship, but I will just leave it at I loved her unconditionally, and her passing has left a huge void in my life. I love you and always will, Linda Sue, for who you were.
Linda Sue Gabbard Arterburn was my cousin, my friend, my sister. According to my mother, her Aunt Elva, she was born prematurely, weighing barely a pound. It was a miracle that she survived and thrived because her mother, my Aunt Nina, had prayed and prayed for years for a little girl. We grew up together after the death of her mother. We grew apart a few times, mostly due to distance. But when we would finally get back together, it was like we took off just where we left off. As everyone knew, Linda was a pet lover extraordinaire. My daughters affectionately called her “The Cat Lady.” Linda Sue, your passing will leave a huge void in my life. I love you unconditionally!!!