Linda Kay (Townsend) Jester, age 73, of Washburn, Missouri, left this world for her heavenly home on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, surrounded by her family at her home.  Linda, daughter of John and Velma (Hopper) Townsend, was born on March 5, 1948, in Rogers, Arkansas.  On February 18, 1966, she was united in marriage to Laurence Jester and was married for forty-eight wonderful years until his passing on April 8, 2014.

Linda wore several hats throughout her life from being a homemaker, farmer, sister, wife, friend, a hard worker, but the most important was that of being the best mom anyone could ever ask for who loved her family fiercely and unconditionally.  In 1968, she moved from Bella Vista, Arkansas, to the family farm in Washburn where she lived until her passing.  Linda was a wonderful wife and partner who helped on the farm from gardening, canning, to helping care for the animals.  Even though she was busy helping the farm, Linda always poured her heart and soul into her family and made them a continual focus and priority for years.

Linda had a huge heart and was someone you could talk to while she simply listened but wasn't afraid to give you her opinion whether you wanted it or not.  She was honest, candid, compassionate, welcoming, humble, forgiving, and kind.  Linda enjoyed her coffee, conversations with her sisters, early morning sunrises, watching hummingbirds, and being outside.  Some of her greatest joys involved spending time with her family, putting puzzles together, reading, going mushroom hunting, and beting on Brady with her son Tim.  Linda was an amazing cook who really enjoyed taking care of her family and would always say her greatest joy in life were her children.  She was a God-fearing woman who always put her faith and trust in the Lord.  Linda was a member of the First Baptist Church in Washburn.

Linda is survived by two sons, Tim Mattingly and Chuck Jester and his wife Robbie, all of Washburn; three daughters, Robin Epling, of Rogersville, Missouri, JoDee Anderson and her husband Ronnie, and Nancy Jester, all of Washburn, Missouri; four granddaughters, Keisha Jester, Felicia Epling, Harleigh Jo Jester, and Cecilia Epling; one great-granddaughter, Tinlee Mitchell; two brothers, Howard Townsend, of Avoca, Arkansas, and Tom Townsend, of Washburn, Missouri; four sisters, Loneta Blevins, of Rogers, Arkansas, Patsy Guyll, of Avoca, Arkansas, Connie Dorey and Mary Jane Sinclair, both of Washburn, Missouri; five bonus grandchildren whom she loved as her own, Katie (Anderson) Cook, Gary Wallace, Brent Wallace, Jesse Wallace, and Payton Wallace; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Linda was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnny Townsend and Herbert Townsend, both of Washburn; and three sisters, Pauline Beaman, of Blythe, Georgia, Mabel Jo Walden, of Avoca, Arkansas, and Billie Main, of Washburn.

Memorial services to honor Linda's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Washburn, with Pastor Glenn Erwin officiating.  The family will receive friends from noon until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Haven of the Ozarks and entrusted to the White Funeral Home, P.O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625.

Service and cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.