Ruby Linda Acton, 78, of Osceola, Missouri, passed away on April 14, 2023, surrounded by close and loving family at her home. Linda was born on October 16, 1944, in Columbia, Missouri, to Woodrow and Helen Acton, both of whom preceded her in death.
She graduated from Rock Bridge School in 1961 and went on to hold and excel at many jobs over the years. Most notably, she worked for the Missouri public school system, first for the Columbia school district, and later for the Humansville school district.
Linda was loved by those who knew her for her unwavering work ethic and passionate spirit. She had a special love for animals, big and small, and they returned that love in kind. Linda had a knack for rescuing and protecting wildlife and was particularly fond of birds. She will be remembered for her many years of caring for chickens, ducks, geese, and other birds on her beloved property. Linda took great pride in her home, where she spent countless hours working in her yard, tending to her gardens, and filling bird feeders. She loved sitting on her porch, watching the hummingbirds, martins, and other feathered friends that visited her year after year.
Linda is survived by her two siblings, a brother Elmer Acton and a sister Dorothy Jewel (Acton) Lammers, two children, John Winingear and his wife Dena (Iddings) Winingear; and Sheila (Winingear) Richards and her husband Mark Richards, five grandchildren: Seth Richards, Aaron Richards, Stevie Winingear, William Winingear, and Mariah (Winingear) Jones, and three great-grandchildren: Beauregard and Evangeline Richards and Adalyn Jones.
In lieu of services, a private family celebration of Linda’s life will be held at a later date. The family kindly requests that those who were fortunate enough to know her take a moment to remember her and feed the birds in her honor this spring, as she was a true lover of nature and all its creatures. Linda will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her, but we take solace in knowing that her memory will live on through the many lives she touched and countless generations of animals she nurtured.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel of Bolivar, MO.