Linda Jane Thornton Pettis

It is with deep sadness that the family of Linda Jane Thornton Pettis announces her peaceful passing on Thursday, December 18th, 2025, at the age of 79 years old in Apopka, FL. Linda was born on December 31st, 1945 in Missouri.

She will be fondly remembered by her loving family; Carmelita (Thornton) Guthrie, Gary and Lisa Thornton, Joyce (Thornton) Cubsted; children Connie Lemley and Roy Shelton and Rosetta grandchildren: Nathan, Sabrina, and Zachery; nieces and nephews Lorri (Thornton) Sims, Robert Allan Guthrie, Carole Ann (Guthrie) Reed, and Valerie Cubsted as well as several other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her devoted parents, Harrison Shelton Thornton of Leslie, AR and Dorothy Almeta (Hurst) Thornton of Kennett, MO and her doting husband of 61 years, Franklin Pettis of Ocoee, FL.

Linda worked for McCrory's while attending Lakeview High School in Winter Garden, FL and graduated in 1964. She later worked for Cobia Nursery and then RD Keene Trust as a bookkeeper until her retirement in 2013. Linda was a resident of Winter Garden and Ocoee, FL for most of her life. 

Linda was an active member of Glad Tidings Church in Ocoee, FL where she helped in the background. Anyone that knows Linda knew she did not like the spotlight or being recognized in public. She was proud to be Frank’s support in whatever he did. She helped start Girls Ministries groups in several new churches including Glad Tidings in Ocoee. Linda was also one of the founders/creators of Frontiersmen Companion Fellowship.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 24th, 2026. The service will start at 3 pm and there will be a time for friends and family at 2:30 pm. The service will be at Glad Tidings Church 2009 E Fullers Cross Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Glad Tidings Church in Linda’s name and the church will make sure the programs she so greatly loved and supported will get your gift.