Funeral services for Mrs. Linda Scott, age 59 of the Deadwood Community of Panola County, Texas, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Carthage with Rev. Paul Thomasson and Tonia Crittendon officiating. Interment will follow in Deadwood Cemetery under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Scott passed away on Monday afternoon, January 26, 2009 at her home in Deadwood.

Linda Joy Smith Scott was born on July 9, 1949 in Shelby County, Texas to Homer Edward and Velma Odell Luman Smith. She graduated from Center High School with the class of 1967. Linda graduated from Panola College and then went to Stephen F. Austin State University, where she graduated with her bachelor's degree in Education on December 18, 1971. On that same day, she married Mervin Scott at the Wesley Foundation in Nacogdoches. Linda moved from Center in 1980 and began teaching at Baker-Koonce School in Carthage in 1982, retiring in 2006 after 24 years. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed framing. Linda also enjoyed reading, traveling, photography, and playing the organ. She was a special preacher's wife and was a mother and grandmother figure to many. Linda was preceded in death by her father, one brother, Douglas Wayne Smith; one sister, Kathy Ann Smith; and two brothers-in-law, Rev. Don Scott and Arthur Williams.

Linda is survived by her mother, Velma Luman Smith of Center; her husband of 37 years, Mervin Scott of Deadwood; a God son, David Stanley and wife Candie Lynn of Carthage; one brother, Gene Edward Smith and wife Mila of Center; two sisters, Betty Sue McSwain and husband Gene of Deadwood and Jeanene Porter and husband Danny of Deadwood; two brothers-in-law, Orville Scott and wife Emma Jean of Grand Saline and Lane Scott and wife Ann of Los Angeles; four sisters-in-law, Joyce Scott of Dripping Springs, Shirley Williams of Longview, Wanda Gray and husband Charles of Longview, and Mary Powell and husband Earle C. of Carthage; and foster grandchildren, Katherine Stanley of Diana, Johnathan and Melissa Stanley of Carthage. Numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, many friends, and her church family at Deadwood and Galloway United Methodist Churches also survive Linda.

Serving as pallbearers are Stevie Scott, Mark Scott, David Stanley, Reese Smith, James Scott, and John Scott.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Deadwood U.M.C. Scholarship Fund, c/o Mrs. Reba Coxen, 1678 F.M. 31 South, Carthage, TX 75633, Elim Orphanage, Children's Hospital, (AMCER) All Nations Children's Emergency Relief, P.O. Box 484, Leola, PA, 17540, or the Carthage Education Foundation, #1 Bulldog Dr., Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.