Marie Linder

There is joy in heaven as dear departed family and friends welcome Marie Linder into heaven. She passed from this life on Thursday, June 26, 2014. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 11 am at Central United Methodist Church, 5740 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 76712.
Marie was born June 24, 1921 to Wade Estaugh Koonce and Euna Fa Oney Koonce in Gorman, Texas. She graduated from Gorman High School and from Lubbock Sanitarium School of Nursing where she graduated as a registered nurse. Marie married her high school sweetheart Edgar Weldon Linder. Edgar served in the USAF as a pilot for 22 years moving around the country. They retired in Waco in 1960. When Edgar died in 1973, Marie went back to work as a registered nurse for Drs. C. H. and Walter Reese. She then went to work at the Baylor University Health Center as the Director of Nurses. She worked at Baylor for 15 years, retiring in 1992. In recognition of her many years of faithful service, President Robert Sloan presented Marie with an Honorary Degree from Baylor University.
Marie devoted her life to her family, her friends, and her church. She loved people and was always serving others. For many years Marie was a member of Service Memorial Methodist Church and then joined Central United Methodist Church. She deeply loved her Central United Methodist Church Galilean Sunday school class where she was president for over 10 years. She also served on the Hospital and Friendly Visitor teams. Her other service included Meals on Wheels and going about the Lord’s business. She took care of her friends and shut-ins taking their blood pressure, taking them to the doctor or hospital and picking up medications for them. Finding ways to use her spiritual gifts of mercy and service brought her much pleasure. Marie’s best lesson, and the one she modeled, was a selfless life devoted to family and others was the highest example of God’s work here on Earth. Those who benefited most from her gracious, generous, and loving spirit were her family. She made every day special for them, but especially holidays and birthdays.
Her family will always remember her favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.
Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edgar Weldon Linder, her parents, Estaugh and Euna Koonce , and her sister, Martha Fa Keyser.
Those left to cherish and revere her memory are her four children, daughter Laura Hailey and husband Robert, sons Larry and wife Roselle, Barry and wife JoEllen, and Terry and wife Lucinda. She was blessed by16 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. They were also blessed in knowing her.
Marie was the jewel of her family, a gracious and brave lady who lived through war, peace and cultural change. She lived with great dignity and enjoyment of life. Her family will miss her greatly.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals On Wheels, 501 W. Waco Drive, Waco, Texas 76707 and the Central United Methodist Church Galilean Sunday school class, P. O. Box 20156, Waco, Texas 76702.