Linda Jean Dobbins was born December 6, 1946, in Wichita Falls, TX to Ebert Lewis and Cliffogene (Masoner) Patterson, and she passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at SSM St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City at the age of 76 years, 8 months and 17 days.

Linda's parents settled in Woodward Oklahoma when she was in the 6th grade where she would continue and finish graduating Woodward High School with the Class of 1965.

Her parents remained in Woodward until their later years.  Linda then attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University following high school graduation where she met the love of her life, Larry D. Dobbins, during her freshman year of college.  She was crowned NWOSU Ranger Football Queen 1966 while her college sweetheart was the NWOSU football quarterback.  The couple later married during their junior year of college on December 28, 1967.  Upon their graduation they lived in Custer City for two years until they later moved and made their home in Thomas, Oklahoma.

Linda went on to earn her bachelor's degree in education from NWOSU in Alva, Oklahoma in 1969. Later she completed her master's degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK in English Literature and Library Science.  Her first English teaching job was in the Custer City secondary school system for a couple of years before she moved to the Thomas School system where she taught until 1976.  She stepped away from her teaching position after her second child was born to be the most incredible stay at home mother that two children could have.  Linda was class teacher most years during her teaching years.  Linda and Larry were class parents for both children's classes from 7th-12th grade for Lorri Jo and Lance at Thomas Schools.  Linda was present and participated in every homecoming float, concession stand sales, class trips and fundraising events.  Linda always had her home open to all of the friends of her two children while they were growing up.  She was one of the Youth Group Leaders for over 10 years for the First Christian Church in Thomas Oklahoma.  Later, Linda went to seminary school at Phillips University from 1999 to 2001.  She was very active in the Thomas Hospital board and the Thomas School board for many years.

Linda was full of love and selfless giving. She loved her classmates and friends from high school and college.  She and Larry had close friends that they enjoyed traveling and sharing time with all throughout the years.  Mostly, Linda was the mother that all children would love to have growing up.  She loved her children and then her grandchildren became her greatest joy.  She loved so many others outside of her own children and family - and she was loved by so many as well.  Her family was blessed to have her as a daughter, sister, mother and grandmother. She was our every ready positive supporter and our example of how to live with a Christian heart and spirit.  Linda was such an amazing, kind, giving, supporting and loving Christian woman and mother!  Memorials may be made to the Christian Church in Thomas.

Linda is survived by one daughter, Dr Lorri Jo Dobbins of Yukon, OK; one son, Lance Dobbins and wife, Rachel, of Thomas, OK; one brother, Pat Patterson and wife, Paulette, of Oklahoma City; and five grandchildren:  Rheanna Jo Dobbins, Rhett Dobbins and Rheid Dobbins of Thomas, OK and Mack Haggard and Logan Haggard of Yukon, OK. She is also survived by her niece, Shannon (Gibson) Lorenz and husband, Gary of Bartlesville, OK; Chas Patterson and wife, Keela and children of Cherokee, OK; and Cole Patterson and wife, Amber and children of Edmond, OK.

She was preceded in death by her husband Larry D. Dobbins; her parents, Ebert and Cliffogene Patterson; and sister and brother-in-law, Donna and John Gibson.