Linda Faye Gamble Belcher

ABBEVILLE...Linda Faye Gamble Belcher, a resident of Abbeville, passed away early Friday morning, September 19, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 77 years old. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, September 21, 2025, in the Calvary Baptist Church with Reverend Otis Derrah and Reverend Jeff Brewer officiating. Burial will follow in the Abbeville Memorial Cemetery-East. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary& Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the church sanctuary. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 310 Dothan Road, Abbeville, AL 36310 or to the First United Methodist Church of Dothan Respite Ministry, 1380 West Main Street, Dothan, AL. 36301. Linda Belcher was born and raised in the Pleasant Plains community, between Headland and Columbia. She was a 1966 graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia. With a heart for teaching, Linda pursued higher education at Wallace Community College and Troy State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1969 and later her Master of Science in Elementary Education in 1983. Linda was a dedicated and passionate educator. Linda's teaching career began in August 1969 at Pinedale Elementary School in Enterprise, Alabama, where she taught sixth grade. She then moved to Houston County, teaching first grade from September 1970 to 1972. After getting married, she transferred to Abbeville Primary in 1972. In 1975, Linda chose to resign from her teaching position to become a full-time mother. However, her love of teaching never diminished, and in 1983, she returned to teaching in Abbeville. Her excellence in education was recognized with multiple Teacher of the Year awards over her career, a testament to her exceptional dedication and impact on her students. She taught for 27 years, with her final years at Abbeville Elementary School. Linda was also a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church and very active in various church activities throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her father, David Cecil Gamble; father-in-law, Albert Glen Belcher, and mother-in-law, Florine Singletary Belcher. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bruce Belcher; a son, Sidney "Sid" Belcher (Kimberly), Auburn; a daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" Shelton (Scott), Gainesville, Georgia; her mother, Cassie Gamble, Headland; her brother, Wyman Gamble (Tammy), Headland; grandchildren, Caroline, Philip, and Elizabeth Belcher and Paige and Mason Shelton; and her niece, Amy Gamble DuPriest (Jason), Headland. Serving as active pallbearers will be Jim Smith, Frankie Johnston, Brian Gamble, Dwight Gamble, Jimmy Money, Jerry Brown, David Money, Philip Belcher and Mason Shelton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Women I Sunday School Class. The family would like to especially thank all of the friends and caregivers that have provided immense love and support over of years.