Linda (Hill) McElhaney, 76, of Canadian, Oklahoma, passed away in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Jan. 6, 2025.
Born on March 31, 1948, in McAlester, Oklahoma, to Alfred Merle Hill and Wilma Lee (Kelly) Hill, Linda led a life full of passion, care, and dedication.
She had a wide-ranging career, beginning with roles at Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, and later as a beautician.
In the later years of her life, she returned to school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), a profession she thrived in for over 20 years.
Linda’s early nursing career was especially meaningful as a home health nurse, a position that allowed her to travel to Texas with her grandson Tyler. Their bond grew incredibly strong, and Tyler considered Linda not only his “granny” but his best friend.
Linda’s compassion and empathy made her an exceptional nurse. She retired from the nursing field in 2010, having spent her career helping others with love and kindness.
Linda will also be fondly remembered for her infectious laughter, her sense of humor, love of cooking, her famous cheesecakes, her fiery red hair, and her love of gardening.
She had a special place in her heart for Trace Adkins concerts and shopping sprees. However, what meant the most to Linda was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and her family was her greatest joy.
Linda is survived by her loving husband, Sam McElhaney; daughter Traci M. Scullawl (Mickey), of Catoosa, Okla.; stepson Clifford McElhaney (Michelle), of Eufaula, Okla.; stepdaughter Christina Caldwell (Rex), of Haskell, Okla.; grandchildren Tyler Scullawl, Jessica Seals, Christian Seals, Gracie McElhaney, Matthew McElhaney, Michael McElhaney, Tristan Phillips, Paislee East (Brayden), and Cager Phillips; sister Delores Blessing, of McAlester, Okla.; and nephew, Greg Blessing (McKinney, Texas), and nieces Shana Olinger (Paul) of Rogers, Ark., Shelly Byrd (Kelley) of McAlester, Okla., and Christe Bullard of Kiowa, Okla.; numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Jeff Scrivner, and her brother Merle, and sisters Wilma and Elizabeth.
At Linda’s request, no services will be held. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of kindness, joy, and love will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and all those whose lives she touched.
You Never Said Goodbye
– Author Unknown
You never said I’m leaving, You never said goodbye.
You were gone before I knew it, And only God knew why.
A million times I needed you, A million times I cried. If love alone could have saved you, You never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still, In my heart you hold a place, That no one could ever fill.
It broke my heart to lose you, But you didn’t go alone, For part of me went with you, The day God took you home.
