Linda Gail Sosebee

LINDA GAIL SOSEBEE

Linda Sosebee was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area.  She is survived by son, Ronald (Gay) Stamey; daughter, Shannon (Michael) Pierce; brother, William “Sam” Bass; sisters, Gerri Stewart, Tommie Riddle, Mary Swanson; grandchildren, Lauren (Bryan) Daniel, Dakota (Andrew) Brown, Jake Bolden, Tristan Bolden, Heather Stamey, Madyson Gregory and eleven great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Frederick Bass; mother, Lillian Viola Dillard; brother, Thomas F. Bass, Jr.; sisters, Sheila Ann Carr and Alice Yoh.

Left to cherish her memories are her son, Ronald (Gay) Stamey; daughter, Shannon (Michael) Pierce; brother, William “Sam” Bass; sisters, Gerri Stewart, Tommie Riddle, Mary Swanson; grandchildren, Lauren (Bryan) Daniel, Dakota (Andrew) Brown, Jake Bolden, Tristan Bolden, Heather Stamey, Madyson Gregory; eleven great-grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and special friends.

Linda was a trailblazer for strong women.  She chose to be a pioneer in jobs that, at the time, were uncommon for women.  From being the first female forklift operator at McKee Baking Co. to running her own masonry company for over twenty years, she was fearless in the face of work that was not for the faint of heart.  To know her was to know a true champion of the underdog.  During the years she ran her own masonry company, she would often see the potential in people that others had overlooked.  She gave everyone an opportunity to work and learn a trade that would give them the ability to not only provide for their present but would also allow them to have a future.  So many of these people were able to go on and start their own business because of the foundation she gave them.  Linda was a woman of action.  If she ever heard of anyone in need, she became the unofficial organizer to get the need covered whether it be clothing, food, a vehicle, furniture, or a job.  It seemed there was never a task she wasn’t willing to take on and never wanted recognition for what she had done for others.  Linda was a woman of grace during times of adversity.  Throughout the course of her life, she battled health conditions that would have been debilitating for others; however, she took every diagnosis with stride and exhibited her true grit in overcoming each of them.  Her philosophy was always that someone else was dealing with something far more difficult than she was and that God kept her here for a reason.  She said her work wasn’t done until God called her home.  Her faith in God was the cornerstone of every aspect of her life.  She fully trusted that God had a plan for her life and knew He had far greater in store for her than anything she could ever want for herself.  She entrusted both of her children, all of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to God as well.  She often spoke of prayers that she had watched become reality and was joyful for the experience.  Her family was at the core of everything important in her life.  She worked diligently to instill in each of them a good work ethic, moral values, respect, honesty, integrity, faith, and the ability to not take everything so seriously all the time.  She loved to laugh, and nothing brought her more joy than being surrounded by all of her grandchildren because they were always willing to make any situation a little more fun.  Her legacy is vast and expands far beyond her family.  She impacted the lives of everyone she encountered and left an unforgettable mark that would irrevocably change them forever.  She enjoyed a full life filled with Jesus, family, friends, and work she enjoyed.  Linda finished her race with the same strength and endurance she always had when challenged with one of life’s giants.   She will be forever missed but never forgotten.

The family will have a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee from 3:00 to 6:00 pm EST with Pastor Jeremy Guyselman officiating.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee 37347, 423-942-9500.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tatefh.com.

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