Linda Claudette Mathews Houck

A memorial service for Linda Claudette Mathews Houck, 80, of Tyler, Texas will be held at a later date to be announced by family. Linda passed away peacefully on January 15, 2019 in Tyler at Oak Hills Terrace Memory Care Center, after a long illness. She was born October 8, 1938 in El Dorado, Arkansas to Winona Hawkins Mathews and James Lyndel Mathews. Linda was a member of Lane’s Chapel United Methodist Church. She was a homemaker who loved creating and keeping a beautiful home and working in the yard. She attended Southern Arkansas University for three years, where she met her husband of 57 years, F.R. “Randy” Houck. After they married, she enjoyed traveling and living in many different parts of the U.S. and the world, as her husband’s work entailed. Linda always embraced a spirit of adventure! Linda’s interests included homemaking, gardening, writing poetry, and oil painting – and rescuing as many animals as came her way. She was a lifelong student of the Bible and loved testifying about God's grace. Linda was full of energy and creativity. She especially loved children and animals. She worked with the Cub Scouts and also taught Sunday school for children for many years in different locales and she delighted in the smiles and laughter and creativity of children. She was especially fond of her many great-grandchildren and she thought they were all beautiful and perfect. One of her favorite events was when family members would put together “talent shows” – she was very proud of her creative family. In her diary, it was interesting to note that her first and last entries were about her husband – when they met and when he passed away. He was the love of her life. Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her loving family including daughter, Melanie Poland and her husband Michael; her son, Kirby Houck and his love Anne; her son Grayson Houck; and her three sisters – Grace, Donna, and Maggie and their families. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, who called her “MamaLin," as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. She also has friends and family scattered across many states and countries. Linda loved animals of every type. If desired, donations may be made in her memory to the SPCA. To do so, please log on to www.spcaeasttx.com and follow the prompts to donate, or send a check or money order to SPCA of East Texas, PO Box 132899, Tyler, TX 75713. Linda would absolutely love that!

Linda Claudette Mathews Houck

October 8, 1938 - January 15, 2019