Linda Lou Brown Merle was born to Louis Smith Brown and Leta Elizabeth Brown on March 13th, 1941, in Claremore, Oklahoma. She went to be with our Heavenly Lord Jesus Christ our Savior on September 20th, 2022, at the age of 81.

Linda was raised in Vinita, Oklahoma, and graduated from Vinita High School in 1959. She attended St. John's School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1962. Shortly after graduation, she married Darryl Francis Merle on May 31, 1963, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tulsa. They were married for 59 years.

She is survived by her four children, Christopher Merle and wife Melissa, Kellie Redman and husband Don, Deborah Powell and husband Rex, and Neil Merle and wife Jennifer; six grandchildren, Garrett Davis and wife Tarah, Cody Davis, Derrick Powell, Maxwell Merle, Emmalyne Merle, and Dylan Merle; two step-grandchildren, Ty and William Powell; and one great-grandchild, Garrison Davis.

Linda played clarinet in the marching band and took up the accordion in retirement. She loved music and playing instruments, including the piano. She was always adventurous, she tried white water rafting well into her 50's, and strapped on snow skis for the first time at the age of 56. She loved so many things in life, and enjoyed painting, swimming, and traveling. But mostly she loved being with her family and was so proud of all of them. If one of her grandkids had an event, she was there rooting them on.

She spent her entire life caring for others and worked as a nurse for over 40 years at St. John Medical Center. She was also highly active with her church community at the Madalene. She was voted Woman of the Year from the Council of Catholic Women's Group. She also served as a member and President of the Saint Serra Club for Vocations, and was a long standing member of the Madalene Women's Club, which she also served as President.

Rosary and viewing will be on Monday, September 26, 2022, at 6:00 pm, and the Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 10:00 am, both at Church of the Madalene, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Graveside services will be at Timpson Chapel Cemetery near Vinita, Oklahoma, that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Catholic Charities.


Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151