Linda Smith Obituary Linda Lee Smith February 16, 1948 － June 10, 2024 Franklin － Linda Lee Smith, 76, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2024. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her life was a testament to love, dedication, and community service. Linda was the devoted wife of Ray Smith for 58 wonderful years. Together, they built a beautiful life and a loving family. She was the cherished mother of three sons: Donnie Smith, Mike Smith (Lauren) and Chris Smith (Melody), who were the pride and joy of her life. Linda's legacy continues through her grandchildren: Katlyn Smith, Justin Smith, Megan Franklin (Austin), and Carlee Gurskiy (Max), and her great-grandchildren: Jayden Lyons, McKenzie Lyons, and Luke Williams, who brought her endless happiness. All have survived her death and will miss her tremendously. Linda was predeceased by her parents, James and Virginia Castillo, and brother, James E. Castillo. In her early career, Linda worked as a corporate sales manager for U-Haul. During this time, she was the ultimate "Momager" supporting her boys‚Äô special aptitude for baseball. She attended every game, stepped in as line coach, kissed every scraped knee and was their biggest cheerleader. Her entrepreneurial spirit then led her to build and operate several successful businesses with her husband and sons, including Smith‚Äôs General Store, Holland Nursery, Franklin Garden Center, Virginia Peanut Company, Serve Restaurant and Virginia Outdoors. Each venture was a testament to her business acumen, commitment to keeping family strong, and love for her community. Linda was an avid volunteer, dedicating countless hours to various community projects. Her creativity shone through in her holiday decorations and flower arrangements, bringing beauty and joy to downtown businesses and events. Her favorite charity was Blackwater Community Events, whose primary contribution to the community is the Franklin Cruise-In. She devoted hours of her life registering the weekly participants, fundraising, and spreading her joy and enthusiasm to all attendees. Her presence was a beacon of light and warmth, making all things beautiful with her touch. Linda's life was a tapestry of love, hard work, and service. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and the community she so dearly loved. A celebration of Linda's life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, Virginia. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 pm. A short graveside service will take place directly following the service at Poplar Springs Cemetery on Homestead Road. All family and friends who wish to attend are welcome. Linda, your love and light will forever guide us. Rest in peace. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Jun. 12, 2024. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Linda-L-Smith 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/linda-smith-obituary?id=55330027 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary: Linda Lee Smith, 76, passed away on 10 June 2024. She was the devoted wife of Ray Smith for 58 years and cherished mother of three sons. Linda's legacy lives on through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid volunteer and successful businesswoman who dedicated her life to her family and community. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services: A celebration of Linda's life was held on 15 June 2024 at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, Virginia. A short graveside service took place directly following the service at Poplar Springs Cemetery. ## The Edited Obituary Linda Lee Smith 16 February 1948 - 10 June 2024 Franklin - Linda Lee Smith, 76, passed away peacefully on 10 June 2024. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her life was a testament to love, dedication, and community service. Linda was the devoted wife of Ray Smith for 58 wonderful years. Together, they built a beautiful life and a loving family. She was the cherished mother of three sons: Donnie Smith, Mike Smith (Lauren) and Chris Smith (Melody), who were the pride and joy of her life. Linda's legacy continues through her grandchildren: Katlyn Smith, Justin Smith, Megan Franklin (Austin), and Carlee Gurskiy (Max), and her great-grandchildren: Jayden Lyons, McKenzie Lyons, and Luke Williams, who brought her endless happiness. All have survived her death and will miss her tremendously. Linda was predeceased by her parents, James and Virginia Castillo, and brother, James E Castillo. In her early career, Linda worked as a corporate sales manager for U-Haul. During this time, she was the ultimate "Momager" supporting her boys' special aptitude for baseball. She attended every game, stepped in as line coach, kissed every scraped knee and was their biggest cheerleader. Her entrepreneurial spirit then led her to build and operate several successful businesses with her husband and sons, including Smiths General Store, Holland Nursery, Franklin Garden Center, Virginia Peanut Company, Serve Restaurant and Virginia Outdoors. Each venture was a testament to her business acumen, commitment to keeping family strong, and love for her community. Linda was an avid volunteer, dedicating countless hours to various community projects. Her creativity shone through in her holiday decorations and flower arrangements, bringing beauty and joy to downtown businesses and events. Her favorite charity was Blackwater Community Events, whose primary contribution to the community is the Franklin Cruise-In. She devoted hours of her life registering the weekly participants, fundraising, and spreading her joy and enthusiasm to all attendees. Her presence was a beacon of light and warmth, making all things beautiful with her touch. Linda's life was a tapestry of love, hard work, and service. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and the community she so dearly loved. A celebration of Linda's life was held at 2:00 pm, 15 June 2024, at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, Virginia. The family received friends beginning at 1:00 pm. A short graveside service took place directly following the service at Poplar Springs Cemetery on Homestead Road. All family and friends who wished to attend were welcome. Linda, your love and light will forever guide us. Rest in peace. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Linda Lee Smith | |---------|------------------------------------| | Age | 76 years | | Birth | 16 February 1948; Franklin | | Death | 10 June 2024; Franklin | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------| | Linda Lee Smith | Decedent | Franklin, Virginia | | Ray Smith | Spouse | Franklin, Virginia | | James Castillo | Parent | Unknown | | Virginia Castillo | Parent | Unknown | | Donnie Smith | Child | Unknown | | Mike Smith | Child | Unknown | | Chris Smith | Child | Unknown | | Katlyn Smith | Grandchild | Unknown | | Justin Smith | Grandchild | Unknown | | Megan Franklin | Grandchild | Unknown | | Carlee Gurskiy | Grandchild | Unknown | | Jayden Lyons | Great-Grandchild | Unknown | | McKenzie Lyons | Great-Grandchild | Unknown | | Luke Williams | Great-Grandchild | Unknown | | James E. Castillo | Sibling | Unknown | ## Other Relevant Information 1. Linda worked as a corporate sales manager for U-Haul in her early career. 2. Linda was the "Momager" supporting her sons' baseball talents, attending every game and serving as line coach. 3. Linda built and operated several successful businesses with her husband and sons, including Smiths General Store, Holland Nursery, Franklin Garden Center, Virginia Peanut Company, Serve Restaurant, and Virginia Outdoors. 4. Linda was an avid volunteer, dedicating countless hours to various community projects and bringing beauty and joy to downtown businesses and events through her holiday decorations and flower arrangements. 5. Linda's favorite charity was Blackwater Community Events, where she devoted hours registering participants, fundraising, and spreading her joy and enthusiasm for the Franklin Cruise-In.