Linda Gail (Higgins) Waddle

Linda Gail Higgins Waddle, age 75, of Jonesborough, formerly of Erwin, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus on Thursday, February 05, 2026. She is a daughter of the late Charles Byrd Higgins and Edith Mattingly Higgins. Linda lived in Erwin for several years before moving to Jonesborough in 1986.

She was an active member of Ernestville Freewill Baptist Church where she sang in the choir with her special friends: Kim Edwards, Lora Waddle, Vicki Greene, Iley Waddle, DJ Greene, Johanna Foster, and Alexis Livingston.

Linda had a generous and caring heart, who was always taking care of others. She was an in-home caregiver to many people over the years.

Linda was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren! Spending time with her family meant the world to Linda.

Linda grew beautiful flowers and she had a lovely rose garden. She enjoyed being outdoors where she could fish and camp with her family.

In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by her brothers: Houston, Doyle, Richard, Michael, Carroll, and Roger Higgins; sisters: Sandra Starnes and Lucille Tipton; brothers-in-law: Belve Sanders, Jim Sparks, Cleon Price, Estil Tipton, Q.L. Starnes, and Jimmy Waddle; sisters-in-law: Sue Higgins, Sandy Higgins, and Arlis Higgins.

Linda leaves behind to cherish many precious memories, her loving and devoted husband of fifty-seven years, Robert “Bob” Waddle; her five children: Bobby Joe Waddle, Charles Nathan Waddle, Julie Waddle McKinney, Aaron Neal Waddle (Lora), and Brandon Todd Waddle; special niece whom Linda raised, Milisha Ann Woodward; two sisters: Ada Sanders, and Judy Sparks; sister-in-law, Starrolette Tester (Michael); several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

The Waddle family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Ernestville Freewill Baptist Church. Reverend Dennis Greene, Reverend Earl Bailey, and Reverend Dewayne Riddle will officiate the 7:00 p.m. funeral service. Music will be provided by Dewayne and Donna Riddle, and the ladies Linda sang with at Ernestville Freewill Baptist Church. Committal will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday in the Liberty Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Brandon Waddle, Blake Waddle, Charlie Waddle, TA Wilson, Jeff Honeycutt, and Aaron McKinney. Honorary pallbearers will be Dale Hammonds and Jackson Honeycutt. Those wishing to attend Linda’s committal are asked to meet at the Robert Ledford Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Waddle family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com 

Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Waddle family. (423) 743-1380

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