Linda Williams Wade

1940 - 2025

Linda Williams Wade

May 14, 1940 - November 3, 2025

Linda Williams Wade, 85, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025.

Linda was born on May 14, 1940, and was raised on her family farm in Floyd County, Va., by her dedicated and hard-working parents, James Williams Sr. and Eula Church Williams.

Linda graduated from Willis High School in 1958 and upon graduation married her high school sweetheart. She had two children whom she raised on her own following her divorce. Realizing she needed a stable foundation for her family, she went to college nights and weekends while working full-time as a bank teller. Her tireless work culminated in a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Roanoke College in 1983 at age 43. In 1988 she passed the CPA exam.

Linda's hard-earned degree provided her with a springboard to pursue her lifelong passion for real estate and a career in real estate trust. Her detailed orientation and tireless work ethic resulted in her advancement, and she covered some of the most complex properties in the state, traveling widely to manage properties on behalf of her clients. She retired in 2005 after a decorated career that she loved.

She was an incredibly active grandmother and upon retirement she dedicated herself to helping raise her grandchildren, moving twice to be where she could be of the most value. She was a constant presence in her grandchildren's upbringing as evidenced by the family photo album, where she is seemingly everywhere.

Linda had a feisty personality and a lot of energy. She was a champion for the underdog and undertook the hard work of prison ministry, teaching adult literacy, and feeding the elderly. She was also active in her church and in local politics. She loved traveling and had an adventurous spirit, traveling to nine countries and all over the lower forty-eight states.

Linda often spoke about how grateful she was for her life, her family, and her friends. She will be incredibly missed by her devoted children, Mike (Tonya) and Margrit (Ollie); in addition to her adoring grandchildren, Lauren, Rodney, and Amy; as well as her great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Evelyn; and her best friends, Shirley Meador and Rochelle Williams. She was predeceased by her parents and her three siblings, James Jr., Ronald, and Carolyn.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. followed by a memorial service, officiated by Pastor Chris Kingery, at 3 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel, 4257 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke, VA 24018. A reception will follow at Luigi's Gourmet Italian Restaurant. Condolences may be shared with her family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - South Chapel

Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131