Linda Susan Wilder Denley, 69, died on July 17, 2020, at her home in Greenville, South Carolina. She passed peacefully in her sleep, as was His plan, and a blessing for Linda and her family.
Linda was born in Athens, Ga., on Nov. 7, 1950, to her loving parents, William Frank Wilder and Jane Newkirk Wilder, who preceded her in death. The family migrated to Signal Mountain Tennessee, where Linda spent many wonderful years. She graduated from Chattanooga City High School and subsequently attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. After marriage to her loving husband, she began her teaching career in Atlanta. She earned her master’s degree in Special Education from Georgia State University while in Atlanta.
Linda was a partner in marriage and work with her husband of 48 years. The mother of two incredible children, the arc of her life spanned many locations in the Southeast, as well as internationally. She was a teacher, entrepreneur, crafter, rock and gem lover, real estate professional, antique business owner and tireless volunteer for innumerable causes throughout her life. Her passion later in life was genealogy and she spent countless hours researching her family history. No doubt she is now filling in all the missing details with her ancestors, to complete her quest. Family was everything to her.
Never knowing a stranger, Linda formed countless, deep relationships along her path, always striving to support those in need. Her caring heart touched so many and she will be missed greatly by those who had the fortunate opportunity to know her throughout her life well lived.
Linda is survived by her husband Scott C. Denley of Greenville, daughter Jennifer Denley Roffe (husband Charlie) of Puerto Rico, son, Travis Scott Denley (wife Lori) of Burnsville, N.C., brothers William Frank Wilder (wife Kathy) of Chattanooga, and Richard Keith Wilder (wife Anna) of Raleigh, NC., aunts, JoAnn Newkirk and Bernice Moorehouse of Rochester, NY., grandchildren Haven Scott Denley, Skylar Jane Denley and Caleb Pax Roffe, nephews Bill Wilder of Charlotte, N.C., Wesley Wilder of Chattanooga, Kirk Wilder of Atlanta, David Wilder (wife Sommer) of Raleigh, and Sean Kyle Denley of Memphis, nieces, Laura Wilder of Raleigh, and Brooke Denley of Los Angeles.
The family is currently planning for appropriate gatherings for family and friends in remembrance of her life in the coming weeks and months. Communication of these events will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, Linda would have liked donations to be made in her honor to Miracle Hill Ministries, 490 S. Pleasantburg Dr. Greenville, S.C. 29607.