Linda Blacker

Even in her very first moments, Linda felt the importance of family. She was lovingly welcomed by her parents, John and Aleta (Maul) Dibble, on September 5, 1940. The Dibble house was happy and noisy, eventually filled with the comings and goings of Linda and her five siblings. They all grew up together, quickly learning the ins and outs of small-town Vicksburg. For Linda, this place wasn't just where she grew up -- it was truly her home.

As a student at Vicksburg High, it didn't take Linda long to meet her future husband. Introduced to Richard Blacker by her sister (who knew him as her boyfriend's cousin), Linda hit it off with the handsome young man right away. On March 15, 1958, they were married, and by the time Linda celebrated her seventeenth birthday, the young couple had already started growing their family. They soon had two beautiful children: Jacolyn and Richard, Jr.

Motherhood came naturally to Linda. She enjoyed being home with her children, watching them grow and lending them a hand or shoulder to cry on whenever they needed it. In many ways, Linda's family became her hobby -- and she was glad of it. She was utterly devoted to her husband and children and couldn't have been more pleased to build and grow her relationships with them in whatever way she could. This was true in regard to her siblings, nieces, and nephews as well. Making a conscious effort to not only maintain - but grow - relationships was always very important. Nothing came as a greater shock than the day Linda learned that her only grandson, five year old Daniel, had passed away. Linda's heart ached for the loss. To begin healing, she filled her heart with the love she knew she would always have for Daniel, as well as the love she felt for the siblings, children, nieces, and nephews that were still part of her everyday life.

Although Linda and Richard had moved to Florida in the mid-1970s, they were happy to return to Vicksburg in 1990. Being a woman of strong faith, Linda became a devoted member of Victory Baptist Church there. She also joined many Vicksburg bowling leagues over the years and loved frequenting the fishing hole at Barton Lake, where she was lucky enough to get a few good bites now and then.

No matter how she spent her time, Linda lived her faith and shared it with her family in whatever way she could. Linda was strong and caring - a wife, mother, and friend who was almost kind to a fault. Her compassion and spirituality were so much a part of her that she couldn't help but stand out in a crowd, the kindness in her smile felt easily by every person lucky enough to catch her eye. It was Linda's family, though, who was blessed to spend the most time with her, laughing and smiling and feeling the warmth of her love every day. Her presence will always be missed.

Linda Blacker, age 65 of Vicksburg , died October 29, 2005. Learn more about Linda and visit with her family and friends Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg Location. Life Story funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the same location. Linda was preceded in death by her daughter Jacolyn Huss, her grandson Daniel Clark, her sister Shirley Thatcher and her brothers Richard Dibble and Allen Dibble. Members of Linda's family include her husband Richard W. Blacker, Sr., her son Richard W. Blacker, Jr. of Kalamazoo, her sisters Joyce Heath of Vicksburg, MaryAnn Johnson of Three Rivers, her sister-in-law Alice Dibble of Vicksburg, her cousin Doreen Swim of Kalamazoo and many nieces & nephews. Please visit Linda's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to a charity of your choice.