Linda Harshbarger's Obituary
Linda Ann Allen Harshbarger May 5, 1960 – March 1, 2016 Linda was born in Ft. Smith, AR to Kathryn Blair Allen and Dr. George Wesley Allen who preceded her. Survived by her husband of 30 years, Rob, of the home; her daughter, Heather Harshbarger, of Memphis; her daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Justin Overstreet, and granddaughter, Tinsley Rae Overstreet, all of Nashville; her sister and brother-in-law, Pam Piazzo and Tom Pratt, of Houston; her sister, Carolyn Allen, of Houston; her father- and mother-in-law, Lynn and Sandra Harshbarger, of Fairfield Bay, AR; her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Stuart and Anne Harshbarger, of Rye, NY; Timmy and Tanja Harshbarger, of Indianapolis, IN; and Casey and Andrea Harshbarger, of Indianapolis, IN. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins. Linda graduated Southside High School in Ft. Smith, AR in 1978 and attended William Woods University in Fulton, MO where she was a member of Chi Omega fraternity, a Sigma Chi Little Sigma and graduated with a BS in Accounting in 1982. After living in Little Rock and working for Pepsi-Cola, Linda moved to Memphis and began her 32 year career with FedEx. She met Rob and, following a New Year’s Eve proposal, they married on July 20, 1985 and became proud parents to Heather Downs Harshbarger and Kathryn Ann (Katie) Harshbarger Overstreet. While working full-time and traveling all over the world for FedEx, Linda still managed to be active in Heather’s and Katie’s activities and enjoyed traveling with them to cheerleading and dance competitions. She was a member of the Junior League of Memphis and Christ United Methodist Church. With other moms, Linda founded the group SWAK – Six Women in A Kitchen – and forged close bonds with Sarah Cronin, Lisa Janz, Virginia Wages, Terry Barnes, Terri Davis, Julie Ganey, and Brenda Schasteen as they met each week to cook for their young and active families. Linda was grateful for their close friendship and their endless support. Linda set an example for all of us as she bravely fought her battle with cancer. She relied heavily on her Christian faith and, though it was difficult for her to face leaving her precious family, she drew comfort from the promise of her faith that she will be reunited with them again. She was a devoted daughter and sister, a loving wife and mother, a loyal friend, and delighted most of all in her newest role as Mimi. We are all profoundly grateful for having shared this life with Linda and look forward to seeing her again in Heaven. Funeral service will be Friday, March 4 at 5:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119. Private burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Linda’s life are encouraged to make a donation to The National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org/support or by calling 1-800-622-9010
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