"If hearts are gardens, plant those flowers in the chest of the ones who exist around you." - R.H. Swaney

Linda Lou Schoonover, age 77, died peacefully on March 13, 2026, in Owasso, Oklahoma, surrounded by and loved by her husband and children.

Linda was born on February 27, 1949, in Welch, Oklahoma, to parents Gordon, Sr. and Helen Williamson. She graduated from Welch High School in the class of 1967. She obtained a college degree in Accounting from the University of Tulsa. Linda spent many years as an accountant for Amarada Hess. She then went back to school for an Elementary Education degree from Langston University. Linda worked as the Director of Religious Education at The Church of St. Benedict in Broken Arrow and later at The Church of St. Mary in Tulsa. She retired in 2014 after guiding hundreds of children in the Catholic Faith to receive their sacraments of Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation.

Earlier in her life, Linda was married to Andy Ayres, of Blue Jacket, OK for ten years.

On April 10, 1982, Linda married Larry Schoonover. They were devoted to each other for 44 years. They made their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Linda deeply loved the Catholic Church and her parishes of Sts. Peter and Paul and later The Church of the Madeline. She spent countless hours volunteering on finance committees and boards and teaching CCD classes. She also loved quilting, knitting, antiquing, singing and playing the piano, and gardening. A visit to Linda's home was never complete without a walk through her beautiful gardens. Linda's family will remember her as talented, intelligent, loyal, generous, organized, crafty, humble, quiet, peaceful, tender, and warm.

She is survived by her steadfast and loving husband, Larry Schoonover; her children, Shannan Renae of Owasso, OK, and Scott Schoonover and his husband Alex Moore of St. Louis, MO; her grandchildren, Christopher, James, and Xander Williams of Owasso, OK; her siblings and their spouses, Bob and Lola Williamson of St. Charles, MO; Louise and Jim Hardaway of Nashville, TN; Rhonda and Tim Price of Valley Center, KS; and Melody and Rodney Wright of Joplin, MO; and countless other family members and friends whose lives she deeply impacted.

Linda's family will carry her in their hearts as she joins her parents, Gordon, Sr. and Helen Williamson; her siblings Eugene Williamson, Gordon Williamson, Jr., and Carol Nading; her former husband, Andy Ayres; her parents-in-law, Lyle, Sr. and Evelyn Schoonover; and her brother-in-law, Lyle Schoonover, Jr., all in heaven singing with their Lord Jesus.

A funeral is scheduled for Linda on March 18, 2026, at The Church of the Madalene in Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Catholic Charities.