Linda "Dixie-Doe" Fuller Hancock Raines

Linda Fuller Hancock Raines, 79, of Spring Hill, Fl., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 17, 2024, at her home. She was born December 24th, 1944, in Panama City, FL. to Ara Bea Grantham and Ollie Frances Fuller. She was the youngest of 10 brothers and sisters, with all but one preceding her in death.
Linda lived exactly as she had seen fit. Often times, on the edge. Having been married multiple times, there was none as important as the man she shared her children with. Linda married Harold Lamar Hancock, on August 30th, 1963. She would spend the next seven years welcoming four beautiful children.
Linda welcomed Diane "Gay" Hermann on August 8th, 1962. Linda described Diane as her happy one, always smiling, never sad, and never fussy. She quickly earned the nickname "Gay" for her always happy nature. Gay served as a blueprint of the tough gritty children that Linda and Harold would raise. Her mom's companion later in life, Linda and Diane were often feeding the cats, thrift shopping, or riding around together just to get Linda out of the house.
Donald Bruce Hancock arrived less than a year later on July 15th, 1963. The perpetual victim of his sisters' pranks. Don spent his childhood surrounded by three sisters that avidly enjoyed messing with him in their house. Harold would laugh, while Linda made the girls stop. Linda proved to be Don's ride or die after the loss of his wife Irene, in 1996.
Linda and Harold took a brief pause in the baby making department, next welcoming Vickie Asbel on August 7th, 1965. The "middle girl," and extremely strong willed. Vickie danced on her dad's feet, hunted with him, and of course did the list of chores Linda had for her. The stoic one, often times, holding it together for the others, Vickie is infinitely stubborn, a key trait they all inherited from Linda.
Harold and Linda had three kids, all in diapers but their family just wasn't quite complete yet. The baby, Carla Elizabeth "Beth" Decker arrived on November 22nd, 1970, redefining the term "spoiled" for the Hancock family. The daughter and sister that no one could get enough of, she was both babied and picked on by her siblings. Her father's front seat rider, Beth is the organized one, the peace maker, and the one with the softest heart.
Linda and Harold moved shortly after marriage to the then tiny town of Shady Hills, Florida. Avid swing dancers, they spent their Friday nights dancing and on the radio, talking with friends in their local CB Club. The following years were filled with horses, softball, and hunting.
In 1979, Harold and Linda made the difficult decision to divorce, though both loved each other until their last breath. Linda would spend some time travelling the country as a truck driver, but never making home anywhere else but that same tiny town of Shady Hills.
Linda's greatest legacy is the children she leaves behind. In addition, she was the proud Grandmother of six grandchildren. Patricia Ann (Hermann), Brenda Mae (Hermann), Tara Lynn (Asbel), James Lamar (Asbel), Rebecca Brooke Brittney (Decker), and Shane Keith (Asbel).
Having lived to 79, Linda also enjoyed the company of her seven great grandchildren who, in her eyes, did nothing wrong ever. Lourdes, Brody, Elijah, Logan, Alivia, Ryleigh, and Colton. Named "G.G." by Lourdes, the name quickly became synonymous with her infectious personality. She grew to be a cult figure in the inner circle of the great grandkids' friends, taking a cell phone and not being afraid to park under a basketball hoop when she had enough of listening to the basketball games taking place in the driveway.
Linda was a connoisseur of music jumping from Amazing Grace to Highway to Hell to Stairway to Heaven without missing a beat. She'd often sprinkle in some Usher and Snoop Dogg for good measure. It was imperative that her kids, grandkids, and yes even the great grandkids could rock out to 70's and 80's classic rock.
A cook by trade, as a wife and mother of four, Linda had more recipes in her mind long forgotten than most cookbooks do from cover to cover. A consistent favorite amongst her family was her world-famous fried corn bread who no one else could get right even when they tried.
Linda also served as a school bus driver for many years, toting countless kids to the local schoolhouse. Her bus was also rambunctious with loud, noisy, and stubborn pupils that knew not to cross Ms. Linda. Linda often times ran into those same students throughout her later years with all of them sharing stories of her no non-sense approach to getting to and from school. Many of you reading this likely have memories on that school bus with her.
Linda's passion was her artistry an avid poet, painter, and drawer she enjoyed bringing canvas to life. She drew from memory, could make anything sound beautiful, and had a knack for making anyone feel good through her expression. Her artwork included her ability to spin a quick joke or have an epic comeback that made all those around her laugh. In fact, that's what many will miss most about her.
A God-Fearing Christian, she often talked about meeting her mother in Heaven one day. Having spent her final years battling breast, colon, and kidney cancer, Linda had a longing for streets of gold. She spent time reminding folks of where she was going and telling them exactly how to get there with her.
For those reading this, that may not have known her quite as well, imagine the neighborhood "cat lady" who tended to love every animal she came in contact with, demanded they all be treated with love, and yes maybe at times collected one or two more than she should have. Her passion for animals was only eclipsed by her love for her family and of God. Even you were lucky enough to have lived with or near her, she named your animals as well even if you already had She didn't stop with domesticated animals but had names for squirrels in the trees, the birds, a peacock or two, and yes even raccoons.
Linda was a wonderful homemaker who loved The Lord and spending time with her family. To have known her is to have been blessed beyond measure.
We will forever miss you Mom, Grandma, and G.G.
Brewer & Sons Funeral Home in Spring Hill, FL is entrusted with her burial.
A viewing will be held at Shady Hills Mission Chapel located at 15925 Greenglen Ln Spring Hill, FL 34610 on March 23rd at 10:00am with the funeral set to begin at 11:00am.
Grave interment at the Historic Masaryktown Cemetery, located at 16345 Squirrel Prairie Rd Brooksville, FL 34604 will follow the funeral service.