Linda was born May 13, 1947 in Sikeston, Missouri. She was oldest of two daughters born to Reginald Lloyd "Hot" and Dorris Jackson. Growing up in Morehouse, Missouri among endless fields of cotton and soybeans, Linda learned not only the value of hard work, but learned how knowledge and dedication led to success. She was involved in many activities growing up and was a cheerleader and basketball queen of Morehouse High School. She was an excellent water-skier and loved spending time at Lake Wappapello in her youthful years. Baptized at age 8, Linda began a lifelong journey of faith, and this faith, while tested, has never wavered. Linda married Mark Childs in April of 1966 and that union brought Linda her three greatest treasures: Timothy Mark, Jeffery Lloyd, and Keri Lynn. The couple moved to Springfield around 1976. Linda began her Real Estate career in 1978 and in her first year, despite a terrible economy, was recognized for multi-million dollars' worth of property sales. Her knowledge and expertise in Real Estate blossomed over the next several years as she learned from close friends and mentor, Don Jaques. Her dedication and honesty led to her continual success in Real Estate, culminating in her opening her own Linda Childs Realty and, with her father, founded RL Construction.

While Real Estate was her profession, Linda's true gift was one of faith. She would boldly share with anyone her love of Jesus Christ and traveled to communist China with her daughter to sneak Bibles into underground churches.

Passing her faith to her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren was of the utmost importance to Linda. Quick to pray over you if there was any concern, stress or praise, she would plead to God on your behalf.

Birthdays were celebrated by Linda with much fanfare. When the phone rang on your birthday, you had better be ready for the "Happy Birthday" song complete with cha-cha-chas', La-La-Las', and "Yeah Man". Baby Jesus always got his own cake, and the oldest grandchild would read the story of the Christ's birth to the youngest grandchild. She would surprise her kids and grandkids by dressing up like a clown for special occasions or no occasion at all, just to bring a smile to people's faces.

In December 1993 Linda married for a second time to Ron Brown. They remained married until Ron's passing in December of 2018. She worked continually with Ron at the Seymour Methodist Church where Ron was the pastor.

Linda loved cardinal birds, and spending time at the lake. She loved children, treating all of them as she did her own. The kids would often have friends over growing up and whether it was 2 or 20, Linda cared for them all.

Linda embedded a memory of the full armor of God, reciting Bible verses, and singing praise songs that were both, like Psalm 118:24 "this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.", so her children and grandchildren could keep the memory of scripture in their daily lives. She truly was a good and faithful servant of The Lord.

Linda is preceded in death by her father, Reginald Jackson and her husband Ronald Brown Sr. She is survived by her beloved mother, Dorris Jackson and sister Regina McLean, her children: Timothy Childs (Angel), Jeffery Childs (Alexis) and Keri Martin (Tyson), grandchildren: Chandler Childs, Aidan Childs, Riley Childs, Jackie Doherty, Dalton Moad, Hannah Childs, Jake Childs, Jackson Martin and Preston Martin, great grandchildren: Marli Childs, Jeremiah Childs, Joseph Mountain, Zeppelin Childs, EllaRae Doherty, and Wittyn Doherty.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 28, 2023 in the chapel at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte, Springfield. The graveside service is private.