Linda Ward-Thomas, age 66, of Desert Hot Springs, CA, sadly passed away on June 9, 2023 at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Linda was born on December 11, 1956 in Dumas, Arkansas to the late Miles and Daisy Ward.  She later moved to Blythe, CA in 1962 where she attended Margaret White Elementary School.  As a child she enjoyed playing outside on 95 with all of the neighborhood kids. She later attended Palo Verde High School.  She enjoyed playing softball but running track was her first love.  She was the fastest girl in school and she often shared these stories with her children and grandchildren. She later graduated and moved to San Diego, Stockton and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

She professed her life to Christ at an early age.  She attended Higher-Dimensions Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she was Baptist and was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Linda loved to read her bible; her favorite scripture was Psalms 91.  She enjoyed praying for and with others, spending time with family, laughing and was always wearing a smile on her face.

The highest highlight of her life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She especially wanted her friends and family to glorify her Heavenly Father as she did.  She later moved back to Blythe in the 90s where she helped raise her grandchildren and spent the last years of her life.  She enjoyed family trips, cooking and shopping.

Linda leaves to cherish her loving memory, her children: daughter Chanelle (Damien) Baker, son Larry (Alea) McClure, and son Joseph Thomas (Anissa) Gonzales; grandchildren Dametrius Johnson Christopher, Joshua, Jeremy Thompson, Jordan, Justin Simms, Devontae Vaughn, Cecilia Mcclain, Marriah (Zacheus) Jones, Kaiden, Adela, Daisy and Larry; two bonus grandchildren, Taliyah and Desmond; 18 great grandchildren and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her siblings (sisters) Anita, Shelia, (brothers) LIoyd, Eddie, and Miles Ward.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Miles and Daisy Ward; siblings (sisters) Phyllis, Velma, and Darlene and (brother) Leroy Ward.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 14th at 10:00am at Frye Chapel & Mortuary, 633 N. 7th St., Blythe, CA 92225.