Linda Beard Eckhardt of Olive Branch, Mississippi died after a short illness on July 26, 2021 while on vacation with her husband Dean in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Linda was born June 12, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Frazier High School and Memphis State University. She worked as administrative assistant at Memphis State and for several local churches. She was married to Dean Eckhardt for 35 years and, when daughter Deborah was born, she stayed home to care for the family.

Linda was a good cook with emphasis on healthy meals. She had a green thumb with houseplants and loved the sunflowers that grew outside her windows. She had collections of cookbooks, travel souvenirs, and interesting pieces from estate sales she enjoyed. She loved to read and was smart with money.

She loved her family and was especially close to her mother, Irene Beard. She loved spending time with girlfriends; driving on short trips with her mother and longer trips with her family.   Linda was close to cousins in Mississippi. She had a strong faith in God and the power of prayer that sustained her through life's troubles.

Linda will be dearly missed by loved ones: husband Dean and daughter Deborah of Olive Branch, extended family in Mississippi, North Carolina, Michigan, and by friends locally.  She is preceded in death by her father Leland Beard and her beloved mother Irene Beard.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday August 10 at 2pm, with visitation from 12:30-1pm at Northridge Woodhaven Funeral Home, 6755 Highway 51 North, Millington, TN. The family requests that all those who can join them for the service wear a mask to prevent the spread of Covid.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Toys for Tots or Memphis Union Mission.