Dr. Linda Oxendine

Dr. Linda Ellen Oxendine, 80, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025. Linda was born on September 26, 1945 to the late Herbert G. Oxendine and Deborah O. Sampson.

Professionally, Linda was a professor emeritus of American Indian Studies (AIS) at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she taught from 1989 until her retirement in 2006. She taught part-time in AIS for several years after her retirement. Linda served as the Director and Curator of the Native American Resource Center (now the Museum of the Southeast American Indian) from 1982 to 1986, and she chaired the AIS department from 1989- 2006.

She earned a BA in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1967, an MA in Educational Administration from Penn State University in 1973, and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Minnesota in 1992.

Linda was the recipient of the UNCCH Distinguished Alumnus and Alumna Award in 2011 and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. In January 2018, she was also honored with Bridge Builders scholarship in her name to recognize her contributions to forging a more inclusive, unified, and aspirational Carolina community.

She coauthored several articles and books during her career, including Hail to UNCP: A 125- Year History of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (2014), Fine in the World: Lumbee Language in Time and Place (2002), and Pembroke State University: A Centennial History (1986).

A member of the Lumbee tribe, Oxendine has engaged in teaching and scholarship that represent some of the biggest contributions to the preservation of knowledge about Lumbee history, language and culture. The Lumbee are one of eight state-recognized Native American tribes across North Carolina and are currently on the cusp of receiving full federal recognition.

Personally, she was "mom," "grandma" and a friend to so many. She served as a Sunday school teacher at Berea Baptist Church and served as a narrator for numerous church cantatas. She was a member of Women's Missionary Union (WMU), Business and Professional Women (BPW), and her beloved book club. She always loved a good murder mystery. She was most happy reading, spending time with the three apples of her eye (Laiken, Luke, and Lyla) or sitting down sharing stories and memories, and talking about whoever and whatever was going on in the community.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents Dr. Herbert G. Oxendine and Deborah O. Sampson and brother Richard A. Oxendine. She is survived by her husband Albert H. Conner, son Chris Conner (Kelsey), three wonderful grandchildren (Laiken, Luke, and Lyla), sister Miriam D. Oxendine, brother Grant Oxendine (Carol), and a host of extended relatives and friends.

A time of visitation will be at Berea Baptist Church on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 2:00pm with a Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 3:00pm. The family invites everyone to the church fellowship hall right after the service for a time of refreshments, remembering, and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to set up a future scholarship in her honor. Information regarding how to donate will be made available in the near future.