Linda Margaret Davidson

 God needed more humor in Heaven, so he called Linda Margaret Davidson to his side Jan. 31, 2016 at Logan Street Manor, Centralia.

Linda was born May 3, 1937 in Danville, Illinois to Ralph and Wilma Cole. Her father died before she was born, leaving a void in her life.

She attended schools in Danville until halfway through her junior year at which time her family accompanied her stepfather, Claude Hansbrough, to Stuttgart, Germany, where he was stationed in the U.S. Army.  Linda graduated from Stuttgart American School in 1955.

Returning to Danville in January 1956, Linda worked for six months with the local telephone company.   She was an operator at the old-fashioned switchboard and had fond memories of that experience.

In July 1956, Linda married Juil White, a soldier from Illinois whom she met in Germany.  They immediately moved to San Diego. Following the birth of their son, Greg, the family moved to Lancaster, California for several years. Their daughter, Julie was born there.

Returning to San Diego in 1962, they bought a home where she was to live for the next 20 years. Linda and Juil divorced in 1978. She began working for the State of California, first for the Department of Motor Vehicles and then for the Disability Insurance Office in San Diego. At the Disability Insurance Office, Linda met Karl Davidson and they were married two years later. They moved to Washington in 1983. They first built a home west of Littlerock, then later moved to north of Olympia. In 1995, they moved to the Napavine area and finally to Centralia in 2007. She worked for several years at an Allstate Insurance office in Centralia.

Linda was family and friends oriented. She had a wonderful sense of humor and delighted in telling jokes. She loved her music and was an excellent singer.  Linda and Karl enjoyed attending many concerts and traveled to such venues as the Grand Ole Opry and Branson, Missouri.  The highlight of her week was at the Winlock TOPS Club.

Linda learned in recent years that she was distantly related to Confederate General George Pickett of the ill-fated Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.

After a serious fall in 2006, Linda developed dementia which ultimately resulted in her going to live at Logan Street Manor in Centralia. The family appreciates the genuinely loving care she received there from Linda, Melissa, Gabby, Nicole and the other angels.

Linda is remembered as the true loving mother and grandmother, who was always there for her family.

She is survived by her husband, Karl at home in Centralia; son, Greg (Connie) White of Winlock; daughter, Julie (Jon) Nelson of Lacey;  a “special daughter,” Lanaea Galindez; sisters, Sharon (Bruce) Jorgenson of Olympia and Claudia (Tom) Cooper of Danville, Illinois; brother, Bob (Lucy) Green of Watseka, Illinois; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A sister, Jerrie Allison of Temple, Texas died in 2012.

A memorial service will be held at Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary, Feb. 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.