Linda Gay McBride

Linda Gay Conn McBride, 67, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, October 15, 2023. She was a determined and tough woman in her struggles to recover from an illness contracted in the middle of July 2023. Linda was devoted to her Catholic faith and daily prayers at 3:00 PM each day and was known to many as a “go to prayer warrior.” She and Saint Anthony were the best of friends and she loved how faithful he was to her. For many years Linda and Rick were a Sponsor Couple for the Engaged Encounter Weekend, a preparation weekend for Sacramental Marriage. She adored her family and cherished the time spent with her children and grandchildren. Heaven gained a very special, one of a kind servant, and her cherished memory will be with us forever.

Linda and Rick were high school sweethearts and married on May 15, 1973 (50 years). She believed that her marriage vows required us to populate Heaven and be responsible for getting each other to Heaven as well. Linda was a lifelong Midlander born and raised in Midland, Texas. When Rick was transferred and relocated to Andrews, Texas in 1975 she thought her world had come to an end, and at the time had no idea where Andrews, Texas was. She believed you grow where you are planted and subsequently moved and transferred with Ricks’ employment three other times in the Permian Basin of West Texas and then on to Bakersfield, California before a final transfer back to Midland in 1983. Linda had a magnetic personality and easily made friends wherever she and Rick lived. No one ever had to wonder what Linda was thinking; she had no problem expressing herself, also one of her most enduring qualities. Linda always thought outside the box and Rick affectionately referred to it as “Linda Logic”. In 1983, after moving back to Midland, they became parishioners at St. Stephens Catholic Church. Many and numerous lifelong friendships were made over the past forty years at St. Stephen’s. She and Rick loved RVing with the St .Stephen’s camping group both short and long cross country excursions over the years. She loved the mountains and forest of Ruidoso, New Mexico especially the twenty six year ongoing remodeling project of the family Cabin. After designing a floor plan for the construction of a Barndominium in McCulloch County, Texas and insisting the Contractor adhere to a 1/4 inch tolerance for placement of plumbing and electrical outlets it was no surprise an agreement was reached on her terms. Linda was also a very talented accomplished cross-stitcher; her last piece required five years to complete and was her most intricate piece. Linda authored and published three Children’s books, “No Matter What You Do”, “No Nope Never No Way”, and “Yes Yep Yea Hooray” after retiring as a Certified Legal Assistant at Fasken Oil and Ranch. She was an excellent planner and organizer for the Annual Family Ranch Reunion held over Labor Day weekend. Her goal was to avoid the 60 mile round trip to Brady, Texas to pick up a forgotten or necessary item for the eight meals served for up to eighty family members attending each year. Linda created the first through fifth generation family calendar as a gift at Christmas to all her beloved family.

Born over a nine year span, 2000 thru 2009, God’s greatest gifts to our family arrived. Affectionately called Gune’ by her six Grandsons and six Granddaughters (birth order was Boy, Girl, then five consecutive boys and finally five consecutive girls). She loved planning for “Grandkid Week” also known as “No Parents Allowed Week”. Gune’ and PaPaw would load up five grandkids in Midland then head to Houston and pick up the remaining seven, then off to the Cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico or the Ranch near Brady, Texas for a week of Cousin Time together each year.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Vernon and Ann Conn and Sister Julie Patterson, father and mother-in-law Dick and Earline McBride and sister-in law Karen McBride, daughter Michele Dawn McBride (infant birth 1975) brother-in-law Tommy Gatlin and nephew Bryan McBride.

Linda is survived by her husband, Richard (Rick) McBride and her Children and their families: daughter: Mendy Witzenman and husband Ken and her children Wesley and Emily, daughter: Christy Kennard and husband Brandon and children Josiah, Isaac, Miriam, Lydia and Eden, son: Brandon McBride and Glenda Slate and his children Skyler, Jade, Kalani, Hunter, Soliel. Sister-in-Law Becky Gatlin and children: Jim Pat Magee, Josh Magee, Jeromy Magee, brother-in-Law Dan McBride and wife Charlene and his children Danny McBride, Robert McBride, Diane McBride Marlow and Michael McBride, sister-in-law Mary McBride Shelton and husband Greg Shelton and children Jennifer Shelton, Crystal Shelton Mihecoby, Matt Shelton, Melissa Shelton Williams, sister-in-law Susan McBride Gentry and husband Steve Gentry and children Stephanie Gentry McQuitty and Katie Gentry Freric, brother-in-law Greg McBride and wife M.J.Barrientes McBride and children Trisha McBride Acosta, Michelle McBride Fay and Billy Dodd. Forty two third, fourth and fifth generation nieces and nephews.  Linda is also survived by her sister Linette Conn Webb and husband Jimmy Webb and children Kyle Watkins and Casey Webb Rowe, sister Verna Conn Reed and husband Mike Reed and children Erieanne Reed, Regahan Reed and Neil Reed and nephews Josh Patterson and Jeromie Patterson.

A rosary service will be held at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel, Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM for those wishing to attend, or come only for a visitation and Celebration of Linda’s life at 7:00 PM at the Branch at Nalley-Pickle & Welch with heavy hors d’ oeuvres and finger foods. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, with interment following at Resthaven North Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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