Linda Thomas Gist, age 83, passed away peacefully at her home on July 15, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Jerre Gist; her daughters, Tracy Perry (Terry) and Amy Stubbs (Ray); her grandchildren, Elizabeth Arledge (Stone), Daniel Stubbs (Kayla), and Chandler Stubbs (Devon); and her cherished great-grandchildren, Brett and Halle Arledge. She is also survived by her sisters, Sandra Pugh (the late Earl Pugh) and Laura Jane Self (the late Hank Self), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Carolyn Thomas.

Linda was born on October 13, 1942, in Morristown, Tennessee. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose love for her family was evident in everything she did. Linda dedicated 30 years of her life to teaching, leaving a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues through her compassion, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to education.

Known for her generous heart, kind spirit, and warm smile, Linda brought joy to everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable gift for making others feel loved and valued, and her legacy of kindness and selflessness will continue to live on in the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former students, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of Enhabit Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion they provided during Linda’s final journey. They would also like to offer special thanks to Megan and Cheyenne for their extraordinary kindness, dedication, and support, which brought great comfort to Linda and her family.

There will be a graveside service at 10 AM on July 18, 2026 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville. The service will be officiated by Neal Bruce.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice and/or grab your flamingo floatie and head to the beach as Linda loved to do.