Linda Kay Hearn Heard passed away at home with her family on Sunday, November 10, 2024. She entered this life on August 26, 1942, to Claude and Mary Louise Hearn in Ranger, Texas. She was known to her friends and co-workers as Linda, her family as Kay, and her grandchildren as Nana. She met her husband, Robert Heard, at 4th and Benton Church of Christ in Big Spring, Texas, when they were about ten years old. Their families became close friends, and one day, a family friend told her, "That little old Heard boy sure does think you're cute." Despite knowing each other for so long, Linda realized that Robert was "for her forever" when he invited her to his choir program while she was away at college. They married on January 22, 1964. Linda graduated from Abilene Christian College and then moved to El Paso and taught school while Robert finished engineering college. Linda spent her life as a mother and an educator. In school, she took every speaking and theatre class to conquer her fear of public speaking. As a mother, she promoted a love for reading and confidence in presenting oneself. As an educator, she taught Abilene ISD students to speak well and to love theatre, just as she had at home. She retired from teaching after a total of 31 years to care for her grandchildren. Linda never failed to improve the lives of youth, and she volunteered her time to make over 450 Operation Christmas Child boxes for Samaritan's Purse. One of Linda's gifts was that of hospitality. She opened her home freely, hosting church dinners, parties, holiday celebrations, and even a handful of weddings. She made it a point to invite people with nowhere else to go for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and there was always enough food and gifts to go around. Linda is survived by her husband, Robert, her sister, Mary Goodner, and three children: Chris Heard of Moorpark, CA, Phil Hearn of Sweetwater, TX, and Amelia Emery of Abilene, Texas. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Nathan Heard and Nicholas Heard; Zachary Hearn and Robyn Brooks Hearn; Mary Hannah Emery, Eryn Emery, and Eleanor Emery. She also claimed innumerable bonus children and grandchildren as her own. Her parents and one grandson, Regan Hearn, will welcome her into the next life. The visitation will be held at North's Funeral Home on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with a meal to follow at Minter Lane Church of Christ. The service will be held at Minter Lane Church on Saturday, November 16, at 10:00 AM. Linda will be laid to rest at the family plot, Bear Springs Cemetery, near Carbon, Texas. Instead of flowers, the family asks that guests bring a packed Christmas box for Operation Christmas Child, as it has been one of her passions for the last few years. North's Funeral Home - 242 Orange St, Abilene, TX Minter Lane Church of Christ - 2502 Minter Lane, Abilene, TX