Dates
Linda Cumbie Gladden gained her Angel wings on July 14, 2024 while surrounded by her loving husband, 2 sons, sisters, and niece.
Linda was born on June 24, 1950 and is the daughter of Edward M Cumbie and Jane Luby Cumbie. She was raised on the family ranch at Bronte, TX along with her three sisters. Her grandparents are the late R E and Emma Cumbie of Bronte, TX, and the late Mack and Hazel Luby of San Angelo, TX.
Being the oldest of 4 girls wasn’t the easiest at times, especially growing up on the ranch, but Linda embraced the role. Her sisters often referred to her as their hero as they admired her strong faith, beauty, intelligence, quick wit, athleticism, creativeness, sense of style and who can forget her sense of humor.
Linda was a social butterfly who loved everyone. If you were her friend, it was a forever friendship. From an early age she made longtime friends during her school years at Bronte, and her best friend Dot Mitchell Gaines. Her cousin Jone Paschal was closest in age and was thought of as Linda’s twin. Linda loved Dot and Jone dearly, and the stories of them living life on the wild side are endless entertainment.
After graduating from Bronte High School, she attended Angelo State University, earning a degree in Elementary Education. Her 28-year teaching career began in Odessa TX, with the remaining 20 years at Santa Rita Elementary in San Angelo. She loved all her students, remembered them always, and told the most fascinating stories about her students and her time teaching them. Linda made many deep friendships throughout her teaching career and some of her besties include Faye Coleman, Ricky Eades, Elaine Stribling, and special friend Sherre Tankersley.
She was very active in her community and organizations, including membership in the Odessa Jayceettes, Junior League of San Angelo, San Angelo Aggie Mother’s Club, and membership and president of the Santa Rita Homeowners Assoc.
While she and Pat were raising their boys, they enjoyed their family time snow skiing, camping, boating, and watching her boys play soccer. Linda loved to shop, travel, jewelry, planning parties and family get-togethers, and above all loved God and her family. She treasured celebrating holidays with family and friends, taking time to plan celebrations for another’s achievement. Her home was elegantly decorated for each season and holiday. From spring flowers to fall leaves to twinkling Christmas lights. She was quite the decorator. Her sense of dress and style also spoke to her ability to be an exceptional fashionista. She also enjoyed dancing the night away with her husband. Even if he did not like the song – they danced.
She was part of a group she called “The Six-Pack”. An affectionate name to her four longtime friends Jon and Lynn Herron, and Joe and Linda Saucedo, with she and Pat rounding out “the six”. The six-pack vacationed together every year with their saying: Lynn Herron brings the plan, Linda Saucedo brings the food, and Linda Gladden brings the fun!
Linda’s had a magnetic personality with a passionate joy for life. Her mesmerizing storytelling would entertain children and adults of all ages for hours and hours on end. Perhaps this is why she loved teaching, and her students loved her.
Linda married her college sweetheart Pat Gladden, whom she loved and admired dearly for 51 years until her passing. Linda loved BIG. Her last conscious moments were spent in the early morning hours when she called Pat’s name for help. Pat gave her something to drink, they both said, “I love you”, and she said, “Ok, I’m ready to go to sleep.” She slept for the last few days of her life resting for her journey into Heaven. She took her last breath as the family gathered around her telling stories and laughing, as if she was at a party. Just the way she would want to go. A party, in her home, and with her family.
She is survived by her loving husband Pat, son Jerrod Gladden and grandchildren Taylor and Alexis Gladden and Lauren and Ava Saucedo, son Jeff Gladden and grandchildren Samantha, Jackson, and Graham Gladden, her mother Jane Luby Cumbie, sisters Susan Cumbie Williams (Paul), Dawn Cumbie Burwick, and Shelley Cumbie, along with many Cumbie and Luby cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Ed Cumbie, niece Shay Burwick, her grandparents, and special in-laws Pat and Pearl Gladden.
Services will be on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 10:00 at Glen Meadows Baptist Church in San Angelo. Burial will follow at noon at Fairview Cemetery in Bronte.
Pallbearers will be the “Cumbie Cousins”: Lindsey Brown Burwick, Cory Scott, Nick Arrott, TJ Scott, and Jael Charlene Wyatt.
The family would like to thank Shannon Medical Center and Gentiva Hospice for their kind support and service. In lieu of flowers friends are encouraged to donate to their favorite charity.