Linda was born on April 10, 1943 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was the first daughter of Aubrey and Emma Nell Hester. She attended Jonesboro public schools, and graduated from Jonesboro High School in May of 1961. After high school she moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma and attended Central Pilgrim College and received her Junior College Degree in accounting & book keeping.
Linda then moved to Overland Park, KS, where she worked for Sears & Roebuck Company in the credit and accounting departments. She was employed by Sears until all offices were moved to Dallas, TX.
While living in Overland Park, KS she met Kenneth Robert Beckham! They dated and soon married on June 17, 1964. Due to the inability to have children of their own they adopted two children at birth, Lynell Diane Beckham was born May, 18, 1974, and Stephen Robert Beckham was born February 13, 1980. Their children brought much joy, and laughter into their home.
After a long courageous fight with HIV AIDS, Kenneth passed away on February 7, 1988. Linda and her children were heartbroken, but relied on their faith and supportive family to help them through.
After being widowed for 5 years, Linda met her second husband, Archie Ferguson. They decided to move to Ava, MO to put Stephen in Mt. Zion Bible School. Linda began working there also as the financial secretary and retired from that job after 25 years.
Linda was a Christian and attended Mt. Zion Church of God (Holiness). Linda loved gardening, and canning what she grew. She also enjoyed cooking and cleaning, especially if her kids were coming to visit. She enjoyed putting puzzles together, playing the piano, and singing. She looked forward to trips to Atlanta to see her children, Lynell and Steve, plus her grandkids.
Linda is survived by one daughter, Lynell Diane Beckham White and her son in-law, Mark Justin White, living in Virginia Beach, Virginia. One son, Stephen Robert Beckham and his wife, Morgan Kelly Beckham living in Fayetteville, Georgia. Five grandchildren, Alyssa Diane Kirk in Powder Springs, Georgia, Ryan Gene Kirk in Fayetteville, Georgia, Rance Gene Kirk in Branson, Missouri, Ava Diane Kirk in Branson, Missouri, and Henry Robert Beckham in Fayetteville, Georgia. One sister, Emma Jane Hall and her husband Keith Hall in Biloxi, Mississippi. One brother Charles Allen Hester and his wife Peggy Hester living in Jonesboro, Arkansas, plus many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Linda will be Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO. Visitation will be prior to the service on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to service time. Officiating will be Rev. Richard Beckham. Memorial gifts can be made to Mt. Zion Bible School, Rt. 1, Box 48, Ava, MO 65608.
