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Linda J. Bow

January 19, 1947 — August 13, 2019

Linda J. Bow

Linda Jean Bow went to be with the Lord on August 13, 2019, at the age of 72.
Linda was born in Dallas on January 19, 1947, to Lloyd Elmo and Julie Ann (Cannon) Bow. The second of ten children, Linda grew up in Oakcliff. As the oldest daughter, she was the second-in-command to her mother, learning early on to assess others' needs and to help provide for them emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Although her family was not materially wealthy, her parents infused the home with respect for Biblical authority and love for the Lord. Caring for her younger siblings brought out her natural ease in serving and nurturing others, which was one of her most admired lifelong qualities. After graduating from Kimball High School, she devoted herself to her children as a wife and mother before returning to university as a doughty mature student to earn a B.S. in English from U.T. Tyler and an M.A. in English (A.B.D.) from Texas A&M University. She modeled persistence and liked to tell her children that her success was due to completing every single extra practice problem in the back of her mathematics and science textbooks and redrafting her papers until they were immaculate. Linda rejoiced in the pursuit of wisdom and in the written word.
Linda considered motherhood her greatest achievement and honor. Her children John Frederick, Daniel Thomas, and Sarah Diane "rise up and call her blessed" in the words of Proverbs 31, whose qualities she embodied. Her mothering extended to her friends, family, and students, as well as those in the jail programs and Phoebe's Home to whom she ministered the hope of Christ.
A professor of English at Blinn College, Linda rose to Department Head of Humanities and Philosophy. Always providing snacks at exam times as well as wise counsel, she shared selfless love with hundreds of students. She believed that literature and poetry could awaken the soul and communicate universal and timeless truth. She enjoyed the seaside at Galveston, forest walks, and visiting her daughter in London and Cambridge, where she particularly loved Wimpole Gardens and rambling in the Cambridgeshire countryside. In a phrase, she was a constant creator of beauty: her garden, home, pencil sketches, and the exquisite garments she sewed (including her daughter-in-law's wedding gown) provide lasting reminders of her artistic gifts.
Elegant and sophisticated in attire and demeanor, Linda was faithful, loving, and service minded. Her subtle wit was unequalled, and she prized the distinctive "Bow family humor." Her Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Sunday school friends were precious to her heart, and she shared genuine, selfless love with all who entered her life, even to her last days when she was comforting those there to comfort her.
The Word of God was her foundation and interwoven in her relationships. She promoted the joy, truth and hope of Jesus Christ and lived out her faith through service at First Baptist Church, Bryan. She wholeheartedly spread the Gospel and ministered to the needy and broken-hearted in a variety of local Christian organizations. She genuinely cared for others' salvation, even unto her last days, and prayed faithfully for their needs. Linda's life illustrated how it is to be joyful and content in all circumstances.
Linda leaves behind her son John Forbey and his wife Jenny; her former daughter-in-law Loretta Forbey, and grandsons Hunter and Dillon Forbey; her daughter Sarah Lloyd Parry and grandchildren Alban and Carys Lloyd Parry: her grandson Ty Stutts and family; and her son Daniel Forbey with his wife Lauren Forbey, and grandchildren Nathaniel, Alexandra, and Eva Forbey.
To honor Linda's life, her family has planned a visitation on Thursday, August 15 from 5-7 at Hillier Funeral Home and a memorial service on Friday, August 16, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Bryan from 2-3 PM.

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Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, August 15, 2019

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN

2301 E 29th St, Bryan, TX 77802

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Memorial Service

Friday, August 16, 2019

Starts at 2:00 pm

First Baptist Church of Bryan

3100 Cambridge Dr, Bryan, TX 77802

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