Linda D. Grieves

Linda D. Grieves, age 79, of Largo, FL. Passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025, at her home. She was born in DeFuniak Springs, FL. to Joel and Velma (Norris) Winslow.

Predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Rodger “Kenny” Grieves

Survived by

Her 3 children, Rodney K (Kathy) of Pinellas Park, Denise (Chris) of Bradenton, and Arlene (Craig) of Largo, 3 grandchildren, Cheyenne, Elijah, and Sarrah, 2 sisters Caroline and Theresa , numerous nieces and nephews.

His Daughter-in-law, Kathy:

First, we would love to thank all who have reached out to visit with mom, call and offer support to her and our family during this difficult journey. Those calls and visits cheered her up, reinforced how loved she’s been and helped to carry us through the most challenging days. We could not have enjoyed all of these extra months without you. Thank you.

March 1991, that was when I met the woman who would become an integral part of my life.
That’s 34 years that I have been blessed to know, love and be loved by the most giving person I’ve met. For Rodney, Denise, Arlene, Cheyenne, Elijah, and Sarrah, they have had their whole lives to be blanketed in her love.

John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Linda lived this every day. “
She showed us all love in so many moments that have even more profound meaning now. Linda would make sure you had a meal.

I will not forget the first time she made a grilled cheese sandwich for me. She stared at me while I peeled the crust off and said she had only ever seen one other person do that, Arlene. She said it was fate and said I was indeed her daughter.

Linda showed love to her grand children by helping to pick them up from school, get to tutoring and other evening activities. Linda valued her time so much that she would call up to see what “Grandmas Taxi service “ needed to do each week. Those moments with the kids morphed from daycare and diapers to vacations and car rides. Christmas, Spring, and summer breaks spent with grandma continued into the college years. The kids slowly went fFrom being spoiled with treats and movies to spending those breaks taking care of repairs and chores while still getting the treats they always knew grandma would have for them.

Linda showed her love for all of the random strays we brought home. She loved our friends because we love them. She offered so many a safe place to sleep and a hot meal in their bellies.

Linda recognized the humanity in all of us. She didn’t judge us from where we came from or mistakes that we made. She only asked that we own them. She would stand by in support as we fumbled our way through life, offering kind advice and never nagging if we didn’t take her advice.

Getting chores done? Now that’s a different story.

Linda was notorious for her discipline of the boys she watched over. I say the boys because we all know the girls were perfect as is. For the boys, she had the plastic race track or a switch at the ready to encourage them to get back in line.

Linda would not only encourage us all to do better and be better. To chase our dreams. She would help us dust off and try again when we stumbled. She was always right there to cheer us on and celebrate our accomplishments.

Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This verse highlights the importance of acknowledging and relying on God’s strength, not our own. Linda showed us all her strength since Dad passed. She refused to dwell on the loss and instead focused on all the blessings he brought to her life. She found joy in her family and shared in special moments like sending Elijah off to college and traveling to Texas with Arlene. Her display of strength continued after her diagnosis in September. She faced it without fear. Again, she did not focus on what this was stealing from her. She has relentlessly expressed her gratefulness for her blessings and her faith in God. Her steadfast love of her Heavenly Father and assurance of her place above has been an inspiration to us all. Through her hospital stays and doctor visits, she has shared her witness and faith to others.

That is her legacy, the legacy of love and faith. She has taught not only her family, but anyone she encounters, that faith and love for others will create unbreakable bonds and spread remarkable joy so much more than any other approach.

I think we can all agree that we are so much better for having been loved by mama.

Family and friends will gather at Veterans Funeral Care on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from Noon until service time at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park.