Obituary
Linda Faye Lewellen
Linda Faye Lewellen, 77, passed away Christmas Eve, 2023 at home on Merritt Island, Florida. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 25, 1946 to Charles and Mildred Cox. She graduated from Southside High School and briefly attended the University of Tennessee and worked at Graybar Electric Company. Linda met her husband, Sam Lewellen, in 1967 at a drive in restaurant in Memphis. He was a student at Christian Brothers College majoring in Electrical Engineering. After graduating in 1968, he moved to Florida to work for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center. Being separated for a year was too much for both of them and they were married July 3, 1969. Through their faith and trust in God, they were blessed with 54 years of marriage. At the time of Sam’s proposal, there was a popular song with a line that said “I love you more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow”. It was true for them. Their love grew stronger each year only surpassed by her love of the Lord.
From her youth, Linda suffered chronic health issues including, depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, skin cancer, breast cancer, and kidney failure. Linda lost one of her kidneys at age 17.Her single kidney lasted into her 70’s but it too failed. Kidney failure was the significant cause of her death. Linda always thought that her illnesses prevented her from accomplishing her dreams in life. She was wrong. With all of her health issues she was determined to be the best she could be and her accomplishments testify to her tenacity and faith. At one time she made her own clothes, made flower arrangements for her own business, did bookkeeping for the church and small businesses, made jewelry, and did needle point and crocheting. Most significantly, she was a devoted wife and mother of two sons.
Linda is survived by her loving husband, Sam, sons Brian and Eric (Amanda) who live in Florida. Her memory will be cherished by her grandchildren Blake, Chase, and Laurissa and her eight great-grandchildren. Her pet poodle, Gracie, who spent many days with her in the hospital and eventually many of her last nights next to her, will always recognize her smell and absence. She is also survived by her brothers Ed, Jim, and Tommy and her sister Barbara. All live out of state.
The family is currently making plans for two celebrations of life. The first on March 9, 2023 , 2:00 at Calvary Chapel Merritt Island church. The second will be in the Memphis, Tennessee area where she and Sam were born. Further details will be available at a later date.
The family would like to express deep appreciation to the wonderful help and care provided by the Fresenius Kidney Team on Merritt Island, the Kidney Transplant Unit at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, and Weusthoff Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Foundation. Email condolences may be sent to lindalew@bellsouth.net.
Linda was a beautiful person inside and out. Her smile would melt your heart and light up the room. She choose to live a life dedicated to her Lord and through Him share meaningful acts of love to her husband, family, friends, and strangers. Now that she has gone to be with the Lord, her physical life is over but it is the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey.