Linda Faye (Lin) Moore Smith
 

Memorial for Linda Faye (Lin) Moore Smith

Born in Temple, Texas on Aug. 5, 1949
Departed on Jul. 17, 2016 and resided in Austin,, TX.
Visitation: Friday, Jul. 22, 2016
7:00 pm
Service: Saturday, Jul. 23, 2016
10:00 am
Cemetery: Temple Mt. Zion Garden of Memories

Obituary for Mrs. Linda Faye Moore Smith
A Joyful Life of Learning, Mentoring, Giving and Sharing

Linda (Lin) Faye Moore Smith was born in Temple, Texas, on August 5, 1949, to Roxie Mae Flakes Moore and Clyde Edward Moore. She accepted Christ at a very young age at St. James M.E. Church.

Linda (Lin) enjoyed attending Crestview Elementary School and Dunbar Junior Senior High School. At Dunbar, she was an active member of the National Honor Society, Student Counsel, Spanish Club, Choir, and was on the Editorial Staff of the Dunbar Press. Linda was on the tennis team and won the state championship her senior year. While she enjoyed participating in each of these school activities, she was especially passionate about being a member of the Dunbar High School Marching Band, where she played the clarinet. The friendships that Lin made during her years in the band developed into a very special bond that continued into adulthood. She often referred to the fun times that were had when going to district and state band competitions. She always looked forward to the band trips and cheered the many times that Dunbar received a rating of 'Number One'.

Linda was an honor graduate of her 12th grade class in 1967. She continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Texas Woman's University, a Master of Public Administration Degree from the School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado at Denver and a Master of Arts Degree from the Institute of Urban Affairs, University of Texas at Arlington.
Dedicated continuous learning was such a part of Lin as she earned the following coveted professional development certifications: Senior Professional in Human Resource Management (SPHRM) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

Prior to her retirement in 2009, Linda had an illustrious career which included the following: Director, Human Resources Department, Travis County Government, State of Texas; Director, Human Resources Division, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission; President and CEO, Austin Area Urban League; and Director of Personnel and Staff Development, Texas Department of Agriculture.

Linda spent many years of her professional career working with the Urban League Movement, a national civil rights organization that promotes and ensures equality, economic and social justice for African Americans. She was selected by Vernon Jordan, former president of the National Urban League, to join the New York staff in 1979. Prior to that, Linda served as Assistant Director of the Houston Urban League and started the Austin Urban League, where she became Executive Director. Other work experiences have included Assistant Director of the Greater Dallas Community Relations Commission and Director of the Guardian ad Litem Program of Boulder County Colorado, an agency organized to address the problems of child abuse.


An avid banquet coordinator, Linda coordinated special events with guests such as Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas; Dr. Robert M. Berdahl, President, The University of Texas in Austin; Wilhelmina Ruth Delco, former House of Representatives, State of Texas; John E. Jacob and Vernon E. Jordan, former Presidents of National Urban League. She was also a speaker for numerous special programs.
Linda was a member of the Capital Area United Way Speakers Bureau; the Austin Area Human Services Association; and the Central Texas Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

Although Linda officially retired in 2009, she was asked and agreed to work as a contract part-time consultant on a number of special projects for Child Inc. Incorporated until she had a decline in health.

Lin's civic and community affiliations included holding offices in the Austin Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Beta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., former member of the Austin Town Lake Chapter of Links, Inc. and a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Linda was married to Dr. Claude A. Smith for 21 years and one child was blessed to be born in this union, Brian Alexander Smith.

Family was very important to Linda. She was happiest spending time with her grandchildren, Lyric and London, daughter-in-law, Tiffany, and devoted son, Brian. One of her special loves was Spanky, her puppy companion for over 15 years. She enjoyed hosting family dinners and gatherings for holidays and "Just Because Occasions," which included her immediate family, mother and extended family of siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lin had a passion for traveling and enjoyed taking trips throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as abroad to Europe. Italy and Canada by train were two anticipated and scheduled trips before her illness ensued. She especially enjoyed organizing and going on "Sister Vacations" and Sister-Friend Vacations.

An avid fan of art and the Arts, Lin loved collecting beautiful African American pictures/paintings and attending Broadway Shows in New York and locally.

Lin was an amazing person who had a thirst for learning, and mentoring young people. Her passion was working with people and helping to make a difference in their lives. Throughout her years, she led a full, joyful life of consistent, continuous learning, mentoring, caring and sharing.

Lin departed this life on Sunday, July 17, 2016, after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roxie Mae Flakes Moore and Clyde Edward Moore, and grand-parents, Zollie Mae Flakes, Jimmie Golden Flakes, Doris Helen Moore and George Willis Moore.

Lin leaves to cherish her memories: her son, Brian Alexander Smith, daughter-in-law, Tiffany Isaacs Smith, granddaughter, Lyric Renee Smith and grandson, London Alexander Smith of Pflugerville, Texas. Lyric and London affectionately called her "Gi-Gi". She also leaves four sisters, Bertha Joyce "Bert" Campbell (James) of Houston, Texas, Clydell Marie Kelley (Frederick) of League City Texas, Pamala Susan "Pam" Pennington (Melvin) of Sugar Land, Texas, and Simona Yvette Hamilton, "Junior" (Charles) of Pflugerville, Texas; one brother, James Edward Moore (Emma) of Austin, Texas, and brother-cousin, Jimmie Lee Flakes Jr. (Dorothy) of Seguin, Texas; a special cousin, Roscoe Harrison Jr.(Sandra) from Temple, Texas, and her friends-in-law, Diana and Willie Everett, of Bastrop, Texas. Lin also leaves two special childhood friends, one, since first grade, Marion Norvell Hobson, whose friendship evolved and strengthened as adults. The other loving special friends are William Horton, childhood friend since fifth grade, Lana and Loraine Demerson, and Jo Mary Aarington. Special Urban League friends are N. Charles Anderson, Barbara Crawford and Vince Austin. Other loved ones include 34 nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; nine first cousins in New York, a special supportive friend, Willie Rhodes; Joyce Bell, a special friend and provider during her illness, Rev. Sylvester Chase Jr., her pastor, members of her loving church family at Wesley United Methodist Church and a host of other relatives and dear friends (her extended family).

Linda's family would like to thank the medical team physicians, nurses and staff at MD Anderson Hospital, Brain and Spine Center in Houston Texas: Dr. Sujit S. Prabhu, MD, FRCS (Ed), neurosurgeon, Dr. Frank V. Fossella, Dr. Fu, Director of the Rehabilitation Team, Betsy Elizabeth Hoosan, Supervisor of Nurse Practitioners, and Adesca, Social Worker, for their care. The family sends special thanks to Mrs. Joyce Bell, LRNA, and the staff of Hospice Compassus for their great care of Linda during her last precious weeks.

This Memorial Obituary provided by King-Tears Mortuary, Inc.