Linda Elaine Spears

Services for Linda Elaine Spears, 78, of Tyler will be held on Tuesday, July 8 at 2:00p.m. with Chaplain Tim Wade officiating at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, TX. Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 - 2:00p.m. before the service. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Spears passed away peacefully at her home in Tyler on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. She was born July 15, 1946, in Decatur, IL to Dean Austin Norris and Erma Sporleder Norris. Linda graduated from Shelbyville High School, Shelbyville, IL in 1965. She married her high school sweetheart, John Spears, and they shared nearly 60 years of marriage. They lived in Illinois, South Central Texas, Minnesota, Kansas, High Plains of Texas, Missouri, and finally, Tyler, TX. She easily made new friends wherever she lived. She loved bowling and participated in women’s bowling leagues until she was no longer physically able. After moving to Tyler, she joined the Tyler Rose Society and enjoyed growing and showing roses. She also loved traveling and camping; and has seen much of the United States and most of Canada. Linda’s greatest pride was her family. She was a loving and selfless mother to her children. She cherished being “Grandma Linda” to her grandsons Matthew and Nathan. Though she was not physically able to attend church, Linda’s faith remained strong. She faithfully watched three different televised church services every Sunday morning. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Erma and Dean Norris, and her younger brother, Don (Renee) Norris of North Fort Myers, FL. Linda is survived by her loving family including her husband, John and her three children, Gregory of Tyler, Bradley of Hallsville, TX and Rebecca (David) Bledsoe of Round Rock, TX; and two grandsons: Matthew and Nathan Bledsoe of Round Rock, TX; sisters: Lisa Doss of Sullivan, IL and Mary (Mick) Yarnell of Findlay, IL; brother: Bill (Sharon) Norris of Bethany; sister-in-law; Renee (Don) Norris of North Fort Myers, FL. Linda is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Bradley and Gregory Spears, Matthew, Nathan, and David Bledsoe. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Nurses and Aides of The Hospice of East Texas for the excellent care and compassion they gave our mother and wife. If desired, memorials in Linda’s name may be made to The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701 (www.hospiceofeasttexas.org).

Linda Elaine Spears

July 15, 1946 - July 1, 2025