Linda Louise Kinsey

Linda Louise Hill Kinsey, 77, of Amarillo, Texas passed away on Sunday October 19th, 2025.

Linda Louise Hill Kinsey passed away peacefully on Sunday October 19th, 2025. Up until the end, Linda maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, love for family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life full of wonderful experiences enjoyed with family and friends. Linda’s life can best be encapsulated by many words: family, friends, flowers, food, and fun.

Linda spent her early years in Sikeston, Missouri, living with her parents Ida Louise Cravens Hill and Andrew Woodrow Hill, alongside her older brothers Andrew Joseph Hill and Richard Lee Hill where she felt loved and supported. During Linda’s childhood years she excelled in school, was a member of Sikeston’s High School Red Pepper’s club, a member of the national honor society, was selected to be on the homecoming court, was a Miss Sikeston candidate, and was selected to attend summer camp at the University of Missouri representing her High School. Linda was an active member of Tanner Street Church of God. Linda began her early career employed at Southwestern Bell telephone company and at Grant Oil company in Sikeston, Missouri. Linda raised one daughter Julie Anna (Kinsey) Baker alongside her former spouse Gary Dwight Kinsey from Sikeston, Missouri. Linda and Gary relocated to Lubbock, Texas in 1971. After relocating to Lubbock, Texas, Linda continued her career in sales employed with Dillard’s department store in Lubbock, Texas then relocating to Sears Roebuck and company. Linda continued her education at Texas Tech University during evenings for a degree in Botany. Linda dedicated over 30 years to her life’s work as cafeteria manager for Haynes Elementary School in Lubbock, Texas which later became Miller Elementary School. Linda’s dedication and commitment to her profession was one of her life’s greatest accomplishments. Linda made lifelong friends working alongside students and staff, many of whom still kept in contact with her until the very end sending texts, cards, and phone calls. Everyone who worked with Linda had great connections and fond memories while working alongside her. Many would say Linda was a sweet and kind lady who would do anything for you.

The crowning glory for Linda was the arrival of her grandchildren: Colton James Baker and Kinsey Anna (Baker) Harbert. Linda delighted in everything about her role as a Grandmother. She made it a point to pass on family traditions to her grandchildren, from cooking, gardening, love of animals, to family history. Linda loved taking care of her grandchildren on weekends sharing her love of music and movies along the way.

Linda cherished her friendships made while employed at Haynes Elementary school with friendships lasting the remainder of her life. Linda’s friendships encompassed all aspects of her life, and each was special to her. From phone call chats, to outings, to sharing meals and recipes, to road trips to Washington state and Missouri, to helping in times of sadness and difficulty, Linda was up for it all. At the time of her passing, Linda’s friends continued to text, call, and send encouragements. Linda and friends loved the next great hunt for delicious food and restaurants, and they loved hunting for pastime treasures at garage and estate sales. Linda continued friendships in her hometown in Sikeston, Missouri with yearly visits that included summer adventures with great food, treasure hunting, and vegetable and flower stands. Linda was known for enjoying her friendships but for being a good friend as well. Linda knew that friendships, like gardens, take work to maintain, and she was willing to put in the effort resulting in lasting forever friendships.

Linda had a deep and lifelong love of flowers. Most especially was her love for irises, which was a love instilled by her own mother, with Linda’s irises still flourishing in her daughter’s own flower beds today. Many of Linda’s irises came from multiple generations, passed down by friends and their Mother’s, divided and thriving for the next generation of Daughters and Mothers to enjoy. Linda’s parents owned a farm in Benton, Missouri. Linda watched her father grow and work on the farm part time during her adult years. The farm grew and produced soybeans, wheat, and corn, and is still family owned and operated for the next generations to enjoy. Beautiful memories of farming, picnics, fishing, hayrides, hiking, and gardening were made at the farm, including a few mischievous adventures. When talking of the farm, Linda’s Daddy would say “This is God’s country.” It was her Father’s favorite place on earth, and he passed his love and respect for all animals and nature down onto Linda.

Linda was known for being a fine cook. She delighted in preparing delicious meals for her family during holidays and special occasions. She especially loved everything southern and bbq. From growing, canning, and researching new recipes to prepare, cooking was her passion and she passed the love down to her daughter and grandchildren. Linda learned to cook from watching and learning from her Mother and Father who grew, harvested, and canned their own garden and fruit trees. Linda’s love for food has inspired her grandchildren to become great cooks too. Whether it was preparing breakfast and lunch for students, a dinner with family or best friends, or a holiday feast, Linda could be counted on to cook. As her Grandson Colton would often say, “Grandma you are the best cooker!”

Linda was a person who loved her family deeply and loved her parents immensely. She loved on and rescued many dogs and cats throughout her life. Even near the end of her life, she continued to love all of these things and would ask of them at every visit. Linda would express how grateful she was to have lived a long life full of wonderful experiences with her daughter and grandchildren as well as a loving family and great friends. Linda taught and shared with us all so much and she will be dearly missed.

Until our next adventure Mama. We love and miss you so much.

Linda is survived by her loving daughter Julie Anna (Kinsey) Baker and her husband James (Artie) Artiemas Baker of Amarillo, Texas; her grandson Colton James Baker and his wife Ashley Nicole (Finchum) Baker of Orange, Texas, granddaughter Kinsey Anna (Baker) Harbert and husband Colton Lee Baker of Bastrop, Texas; and great grandchildren Everett James Baker and Tatum Rae Baker of Orange, Texas, and Townes Elijah Harbert of Bastrop, Texas; and her brother Andrew Joseph Hill of Benton, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew Woodrow Hill and Ida Louise (Cravens) Hill of Sikeston, Missouri, and her brother Richard Lee Hill of Winston Salem, North Carolina.

A private cremation has been arranged for Linda. Private services were held in accordance with Linda’s wishes.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that remembrances may be made through a living memorial. Please consider planting a tree or iris in honor of Linda’s name.

Irises may be ordered through Linda’s favorite iris farm Schreinersgardens.com.