Linda Christine Lackey

Linda Christine Lackey, age 68, of Versailles, passed away peacefully, at Good Shepherd Care Center on December 28, 2016. She was born on February 18, 1948, in a hospital at Ames, Iowa. Linda was the daughter of Frank and Mary (Cox) Grimes. On July 4, 1970, she married Ross Reinheimer. On February 11, 1978, Ross passed away with terminal cancer. On October 5, 1979, Linda married Larry Lackey, at the Larkin Avenue Baptist Church in Elgin, Ill. They shared thirty-seven years together. In 1971, she graduated from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, with a BA degree in English and secondary education. In 1980, she graduated from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ill., with a MS ED in curriculum and supervision. In 1998, Linda completed an additional thirty-eight graduate course hours from Northern Illinois University related to the instruction of language arts, computers and gifted education. As a substitute, her first teaching role was at Durant High School, Durant, Iowa. In the fall of 1972, she was hired full-time at U-46 Eastview Junior High School, Bartlett, Ill., as a 7th and 8th grade English teacher. During the summer and fall of 1989-1990, Linda accepted a part-time position at Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Ill., as an instructor of freshman English composition and literature. After twenty-seven years, she retired from U-46 public school system and relocated, with her husband, Larry, to their retirement farm in Versailles, Mo. During the fall term 1999, Linda was accepted in the School District No. 1 of Moniteau County, California, Mo., as a high school English teacher. In the fall of 2000-2003, she completed her teaching career at Morgan County R-II School District, Versailles, Mo., as a high school English teacher. In 1989, Linda received Exemplary Educator Award from the Illinois Math and Science Academy. From 1992-1998, she was selected Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Some of her student groups sponsored were: National Honor Society, Pride Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Freshman Class Sponsor, Young Authors, Odyssey of the Mind and Literary Guild. At both the California and Versailles High School library and English departments, she developed a college bound reading list for her American literature and English literature and dual credit English composition 113 classes. (shortly thereafter, Stanford University and Yale University put out similar lists on the internet). Linda had a strong faith base. She enjoyed her family, reading, traveling and friends. Linda strived to see her students succeed and attain their goals. Linda and Larry were members of the Versailles United Methodist Church. Linda is survived by: her husband, Larry; her step-daughter, Sandra Lackey, step-daughter, Patricia Perna; son-in-law, Joseph Perna; and grandchildren, Samuel Perna and Matthew Perna. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2017, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2017, at the Versailles United Methodist Church with Pastor Lora Cunningham officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow in the Versailles Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles United Methodist Church or the Good Shepherd Care Center. Expression of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.