Linda Pittard Dent

Linda Pittard Dent completed her journey home to her Heavenly Father on December 3, 2009, after a valiant year long struggle against cancer. All of her many friends and family grieve for her, but also rejoice because of her love for and devotion to God. We will all miss her terribly. Linda was born on March 14, 1948, in Abilene, Texas to parents Dr. Knox and Ruth Pittard of Anson, Texas. She grew up in Anson where, as a young girl, she spent many fun-filled hours in the pasture chasing down her horse "Grasshopper" so she could ride him into town. She attended Texas Christian University, but elected not to continue her college education after the tragic loss of her parents in a commercial airliner crash in 1968. She later resumed her studies in the School of Education at Hardin-Simmons University and graduated with honors in both the undergraduate and Master's programs. She then taught school in Moran, Texas for ten years. On July 18, 1998, at age 50 she had her first date with Roy, the man God had chosen for her. They fell in love immediately, and were married in the Hardin-Simmons Chapel on November 21, 1998. Linda ended her teaching career in 1999, and devoted herself to her husband and her many other interests, that list being topped by her interests in all things culinary. Translation-she was a great cook! Linda was a self-taught skilled woodworker and carver, and spent many hours laboring with love making crosses for members of the Big Country Emmaus Community. She always had a smile and a twinkle in her eyes, and no one ever had a better or more loyal friend. As the renowned western writer Louis L'amour would have said, "She had sand, and was a good woman to ride the river with." Linda was preceded in death by her parents Dr. Knox and Ruth Pittard of Anson, Texas. Survivors include husband Roy Dent of Abilene, Texas, stepchildren Debra Harris and husband Kyle of Norman, Oklahoma and David Dent and wife Jill of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, stepgrandchild Bailey Harris of Norman, Oklahoma, brothers Knox Pittard Jr. and wife Brenda of Anson, Texas and George Pittard of Japan, nieces Lori Pittard and children Alijah and Easton Cox of Tuscola, Texas and Traci Chojecki and children Taylor and Alec Chojecki of Katy, Texas. Linda chose to be cremated. A memorial Celebration of Life service will be held for Linda at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, Texas. Memorials may be made to Big Country Emmaus Scholarship Fund, Attn. Joyce Daffern, PO Box 5080, Abilene, TX 79608.