Linda Ann (Soffel) Neff went to be with the Lord on July 26, 2024 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Born on Aug. 13, 1938, she was a few weeks short of her 86th birthday.
A daughter of the King, Linda served the Lord in many ways, including acting as a deacon at Christ Presbyterian (USA) Church in Canton, Ohio for many years. She later became an active member of First Presbyterian (PCA) Church in Chattanooga.
A devoted mother and grandmother, she moved from Northeast Ohio to Hixson, in 2007 to be closer to family, and she took several travel adventures with them to some of her favorite beach spots in the ensuing years.
A passionate professional educator, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English as a proud alumna of Denison University as well as two master’s degrees – one in English from the University of Akron and one in Library Science from Kent State University.
After teaching stops at Toledo Whitmer High School and Lake High School in Hartville, Ohio, Linda became a deeply respected English teacher and librarian at North Canton (OH) Hoover High School for 35 years until 1998, where she played a major role in the education of thousands of students who learned literature, composition, and research and writing in her classrooms and library.
An outstanding golfer and lover of sports, Linda became a club champion at age 21 at Congress Lake Country Club in Hartville, and even during her last round of golf she was hitting balls down the middle of the fairway. She also loved football and basketball and enjoyed various golf and bowling leagues.
She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and loved to work in her yards and garden. She volunteered at multiple libraries and as a groundskeeper at several golf courses. After her career as a public-school educator, she continued to volunteer as a tutor.
Linda is survived by her children, daughter Katharine Kase and her husband Raymond (of Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania) and son Steven Neff and his wife Mary (of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee). She has six grandchildren – Sean Kase of Maryland; Meghan Kase of New York; James Kase of Pennsylvania, Colin Kase of Pennsylvania; Laura (Neff) Barnes of Tennessee; and Matthew Neff of Tennessee. She has four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Susan Hood of Colorado.
Celebration of life services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, on Monday, Aug. 26. Visitation at the church will be from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with the service beginning at 12:30 p.m. Because of her love for the church choir and hymns, the family suggests memorial contributions to the choral reserve fund of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com
Announcement is by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.