Linda Rigsby

In the morning of March 24, Linda Shewbert Rigsby was freed of her body and Alzheimer’s, dying in the tender care of Wisteria Place Legacy Lane Memory Care at age 82.

Linda Lee Shewbert was born January 16, 1942 to Methodist Rev. J.E. & Bess McCurdy  Shewbert in Sweetwater, TX. After graduating from Vernon TX High School in 1960, she studied Music Education at Abilene’s McMurry College [now University], graduating in 1964.

Linda mothered two children grateful for her down-to-earth philosophies and pragmatic faith: look out for others, see how you can help, it doesn’t cost anything to share a moment with someone or a smile. We can all make the world a better and kinder place in our own way, day by day.

Linda knew loss, including her parents’ deaths & her marriages to Lyle W Hamilton (TX/ Montana) & John D Turner (Nebraska.)  Through adversity, she cultivated seeds of resiliency, strength and looking for the good in others. Linda taught Music 20 years in Abilene-area schools including Jefferson Middle School * Valley View Elementary * Locust Elementary * Eula Elementary & concluded with 10 years at Clyde Elementary, retiring in 2005.  In each school Linda nurtured students, many from difficult circumstances, and colleagues, inspiring all ages to live into their giftedness and strength and to do good in the world.

Linda loved her McMurry College memories and friends. While in college Linda was a member of Delta Beta Epsilon, Wah-Wahtaysee Service Organization, and Chanters. After she returned to Abilene in 1985, she supported Alumni gatherings, Homecoming  & Chanters reunions.

Linda married Abilene businessman Thomas A Rigsby in 1996 and they were a force of fun,   encouragement, generosity and presence throughout the Abilene community. They supported Potosi United Methodist Church as active members with Linda playing piano,  singing, and teaching kids, youth & adults to play hand chimes. Linda loved volunteering at the United Methodist Service Center & Food Pantry, welcoming guests each week with a smile, kind word, and colorful hats. After Tom’s death in 2018, Linda moved to Wisteria Place.

We give thanks to Linda’s friends who visited and took her out through the years, and for the congregation of St James United Methodist Church for ministering to her in the late season of her life. Linda’s life & vocation focused on family, church, music, teaching, students, colleagues, and finding ways to help someone out. Linda expressed her understanding of the fullness of Life & God’s Love with creativity, music, generosity, thoughtfulness and  conversation.  She was never too old to share a funny expression, voice, or song. Even into the depths of Alzheimer’s, visits and phone calls included music, life lessons, & laughter and concluding with the singing of “You Are My Sunshine” together.

We give great thanks for the steadfast love and care of the Wisteria Legacy Lane staff * Home Instead caregiver * end of life support from her Kinder Hearts Hospice team. You all showed that we can live and die well with caring people around us.

Linda was preceded in death by husband Thomas A. Rigsby (Abilene TX) …sister Betty Ann Shewbert Dotts & brother-in-law Rev. Ted Dotts (Lubbock TX) …parents Rev. J.E. Shewbert & Bess Lee McCurdy Shewbert (Childress TX).  Linda is survived by daughter Kama Hamilton Morton (Douglas) of Butte, Montana … son Kaleb Hamilton (Kimra) w grandsons Weston & Quin of Austin, Texas … nephew John Dotts & niece Rebecca Dotts Hunt (Brad) of Lubbock, TX … stepson Colin Rigsby (Jennifer) & son Greyson of Fort Worth, TX.

A Memorial Service will be held at St James United Methodist Church, 3100 Barrow Street,  Abilene, Texas on Saturday, May 18 at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorials be given to

·         United Methodist Service Center & Food Pantry * PO Box 863 * Abilene TX 79604

·         St James United Methodist Church * 3100 Barrow St. * Abilene TX 79605

·         McMurry University, Abilene TX

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine … you make me happy when skies are gray … You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you … please don’t take my sunshine away …”