Linda Jeanne Wyrick Winkle

Linda Jeanne Wyrick Winkle

May 10, 1947 - August 22, 2026

Linda Winkle, lovingly known as Momma to her sons and Nainai to her grandchildren, went to be with the Lord on August 22, 2026. She loved her family deeply, loved learning, and believed life was meant to be explored, enjoyed, and shared with others.

Linda was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on May 10, 1947, to Lendon and Marcia Wyrick. Her family later moved to Rome, Georgia, in the 1950s, where she attended East Rome High School. There she played the French horn in the marching band, was selected to participate in the first ever Georgia Governor's Honors Program in 1964, and was co-editor of the yearbook her senior year in 1965. For college, she went to her dream school, William & Mary, where she loved being a Gamma Phi Beta, and graduated in 1969 with a degree in education. Her love of learning continued with graduate studies as she completed a master's degree from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Mississippi.

Linda spent her career teaching in Virginia, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. In Georgia, she taught gifted education at Mt. Bethel Elementary School and Powder Springs Elementary School. She was a creative and enthusiastic teacher who believed learning should be hands-on, imaginative, and fun.

Her curiosity extended far beyond the classroom. Linda was fascinated by space, lighthouses, and the ocean, especially sea turtles. She loved bike rides on beaches, watching sunrises and sunsets, flying kites, and learning about the ecology of the Georgia coast. She volunteered at the Georgia Aquarium and helped protect sea turtle nests along Georgia's beaches. She also followed the wonders of space with the same sense of curiosity and awe.

But Linda's greatest adventure was being Nainai.

She loved her six grandchildren fiercely, and loved doing fun activities with them. A visit to Nainai's house was an adventure of its own. There might be cookies, brownies, blueberry muffins, pancakes and bacon, red velvet cake, swimming in the neighborhood pool, crafts and painting, books to read, frogs and lizards to find, or some new project she had dreamed up. Her kitchen was often a glorious mess of flour, sugar, and butter.

Linda loved to travel, visiting all 50 states, 23 countries, and numerous national parks. Highlights included going to China eight times, visiting parts of Europe multiple times, epic trips out west to national parks like Yellowstone, the Badlands, and Capitol Reef with her sons and grandkids, a fun Laura Ingalls Wilder trip to South Dakota, and trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Cumberland Island, Washington D.C., and Key West. She loved exploring new places with friends and family, and was always looking forward to her next trip.

Linda's relationship with Jesus was central to her life. She was an active member of the Church body, serving in many ways. She especially enjoyed welcoming people, helping others, and serving across the street and around the world. This included making sandwiches for kids at Park Street Elementary in Marietta, as well as mission trips to Estonia and Spain. She also volunteered with St. Jude for many years to help organize the Atlanta St. Jude Walk/Run to raise money for childhood cancer research.

Her faith was also woven into her family life. She raised her sons to value faith, education, service, hard work, loving their neighbors, and being present for others. She was particularly grateful to see her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren carry those values into lives of ministry, missions, teaching, and service.

Linda is survived by her sons, Johnny Winkle and his wife, Amy, and Jason, and his wife, Felicia; her six grandchildren, Hannah Grace Barber and her husband, Wesley; Hudson Winkle and his wife, Kayla; Micah Winkle and Maggie Li Winkle; Emily Winkle and Abbey Winkle; and her beloved dog, Snickerdoodle. She is also survived by her sister, Sally Wyrick; and three nieces and a nephew and their families.

Linda is with Jesus now, and loving every minute of it!

The family will receive friends from 4-7pm, on Wednesday, September 2, at West Cobb Funeral Home in Marietta, Georgia.

Linda's Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, September 3, at 1pm, at StoneBridge Church, 675 Tower Rd. Marietta, Georgia 30060.

We encourage colorful attire to celebrate Linda and the joy she brought into our lives.

Flowers are accepted or contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Linda's memory by clicking the link below:

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now