Linda Marie (Adkins) Raybourn Hargrave

January 8, 1943 - April 24, 2018

Age 75 Years

Service: Trinity United Methodist Church, Appleton City, MO,  Monday, April 30, 2018 at 6:30 PM

Visitation: Trinity United Methodist Church, Appleton City, MO,  Monday, April 30, 2018 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Minister: Pastor Nick VanDam

Memorial: Trinity United Methodist Church




Linda Marie (Adkins) Raybourn Hargrave was born on January 8, 1943, in Butler, Missouri, to Elmer Dean and Zylpha Naydean Phillips Adkins. As her cousin was born four days before and took the last bassinet in the nursery, Linda was placed in a dresser drawer. Linda was raised in Harrisonville, Missouri, where she attended primary and secondary school graduating in 1960. She then went on to attend William Jewel and Central Missouri State College graduating in 1965 with a degree in Spanish and Music education. She later earned her Master's degree from Central Missouri State University in 1979.

Linda accepted Christ early in her life and was a faithful servant throughout. Her ministry was music. She was church pianist at First Baptist in Harrisonville, Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian and Trinity United Methodist Church. She also served as adult and children's choir director at Trinity United Methodist for many years. Linda also accompanied many instrumental and vocal soloists at the piano. Throughout the years, she played the piano and/or organ for many weddings and funerals.

Linda's first career assignment was in Appleton City teaching Spanish and Music. She stated that she was only going to live in Appleton City for one year before moving on to bigger and better things. However, through the matchmaking efforts of Jim and Carolyn Yoss, Linda met the love of her life, Eugene Lee Raybourn. Linda and Gene were married on August 4, 1967, at the First Baptist Church in Harrisonville, Missouri, by Reverend Charles Sutton. To this union, four children were born, Gina, Deana, Amy, and James. Linda and Gene farmed in Bates County, Missouri. Linda also taught altogether 40 years in the Appleton City, Ballard, Montrose and Hudson School Districts. After Gene's death in 1981, Linda raised her four children alone. She sacrificed much so that they could have plenty.

Linda married Ronnie L. Hargrave on June 11, 1988. They spent 29 wonderful years together traveling to 46 of the 50 States, golfing, attending Chiefs games, Royals games, Mizzou games, and AC Bulldog games. Every year they attended the MSHSAA basketball finals to watch good basketball all weekend long.

Linda's greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved taking Michaela and Blake to Disney World, attending their ball games, piano recitals, church programs, school programs, soccer games, basketball games, football games and wrestling tournaments. Reading to Reese and Fischer and watching them play "elevator" and "hi-ya" and "karate chop" always put a smile on her face.

One of her most prized possessions was her white baby Grand Piano that Ron gave to her. Having a grand piano was a life long dream, and she spent many hours tickling the ivories on her precious piano.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene Lee Raybourn; her brother, E.D. Adkins, Jr.; brother-in-law, John T Raybourn; sister-in-law, Loreese Raybourn; grand nieces, Leslie Carol Raybourn and Johnna Suzanne Raybourn. She is survived by her husband, Ron, and her children Gina Marie Raybourn, Amy Beth Raybourn (Dennis Heiman) of Appleton City, Deana Leigh Pomajzl (Michael) of Sedalia, James Eric Raybourn of Boonville; grandchildren Michaela McMullin (Chance), Blake Pomajzl, and Reese and Fischer Heiman. She also leaves her sisters-in-law, Patricia Adkins of Missouri City, Texas, and Mary Margaret Raybourn of Butler, Missouri; brother-in-law, Gary Hargrave (Diane) of St. Joseph, Missouri; nephews, J.R. (Dick) Raybourn (Joy) of Republic, Jeff Hargrave, St. Joseph; Gabe Hargrave, Portland, Oregan; nieces, Mary Robey (Marvin), Butler; Tricia Larm (Tony) Pflugerville, Texas; Tracy Caton (Jeff), Missouri City, Texas; and Tere Herzog (Aaron), Grain Valley. She also leaves behind many dear cousins, friends and grand nieces and nephews.