Linda Faye (Smith) Denning

Linda Faye Smith Denning, 59, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

She was born in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, to Richard and Mary Hall Smith.

Linda was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She had four sons and an honorary son, Neko Wilson.

Linda loved laughing and spending time with family and friends. You could often find her playing cards or dominos at a local park with friends. She loved to cook barbeque and soul food for her family. Her barbeque ribs, fried chicken, creamed corn, greens, beans, and cornbread, just to name a few, were ones for the record books.

Linda’s grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her smile would light up a room whenever one of them was in her presence. She loved gospel and blues music. It was a common occurrence for her to be singing along to gospel or blues while cleaning her house or cooking her meals.

She was no-nonsense. Raising four boys into respectable and successful men was no easy feat. She stepped up to the challenge and exceeded the expectations by moving herself and her boys from Texas to California, for a chance of a better life and more opportunities. One sweet memory her sons have of her parenting style coming up was the way Linda would make them cook, clean, and be independent. She was always telling them, “you guys will grow up and have a wife because you want her, not because you need her to survive.”

Linda remained in California until recent years when she returned to Texas, as she always considered Amarillo home. She loved to tickle and wrestle with her grandchildren and always caught them by surprise by her strength as the kids never expected a “grandma” to be so strong.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Jairol Red, and a sister, Donna K. Smith.

Linda leaves to cherish her memory, three sons, Calvin Smith (Kezzisa), Clarence Denning (Corina), and Joseph Denning, daughter-in-law, Jyran Red, eleven grandchildren, Keyla Smith, Diamond Smith, Calvin Smith Jr., Kyria Smith, Jairol Red, Jr., Kasarah Red, Kane Red, Zion Denning, Jay Denning, Josiah Denning, and Jaylen Denning, six siblings, Gloria Smith, Richard Smith, Jr., L. T. Smith, Timothy Smith, Alex Smith, and Carolyn Smith.

There are so many things that we all will miss about Linda. Until we meet again in heaven, Mama, we love you!

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