Linnie Hodges McCormack, 73, of Greenville, joined the choir of angels on June 9, 2014, in Benbrook, Texas. A celebration of her life will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Mineral Heights Baptist Church in Greenville under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with services led by Pastor Dan Williford of Southwood Baptist Church, Fort Worth. Graveside services will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park, Greenville. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday.
Born in Manila, Philippines, on November 23, 1940, to Jesse A. and Mary Gamero Hodges, Linnie survived the Japanese Occupation during World War II. She sailed through enemy waters with remaining family members, arriving in San Francisco, CA, on August 13, 1945, and ended the journey at the birthplace of her father in Hunt County, TX.
A graduate of Quinlan High School and friend to many, Linnie met and married Carl Don McCormack on September 26, 1958, in Greenville, Texas. While working and rearing two children, Linnie developed a side business with her reputation for decorative special occasion cakes and delicious pies.
Linnie dedicated her life to family, church, friends, and her work, retiring from Rock-Tenn with over 40 years of service. Devoted wife to Don and caring mother to Cathy L. McCormack Break (Stephen) of Benbrook and Donald T. McCormack (deceased), she was also a doting grandmother to Phillip C. Break (Bethany) of Jacksonville, NC, Timothy J. Break (Lauren) of Germantown, MD, Traci N. Cleveland (Joe), Heather M. Break, Patrick A. Break, and Andrew R. Break all of Benbrook, and Sarah L. McCormack and Laura E. McCormack of Greenville/Wolfe City. Linnie found special joy in her great-granchildren Bradley, Zoe, Kira, and Ilyana Cleveland, and Peyton E. Break. She was a loving sister to Lucy A. Collins, M. Emma Smith, Mary Jane Vance (Charles), and Rose A. Chieffo all of Greenville, Joyce J. Barrow (John) of Quinlan, and James C. Hodges (Jeanne) of Prosper, TX, and a special sister-in-law to Janet B. Beckman (Don) of Humble, TX and Paula K. McCormack of Dallas, TX.
Linnie was preceded in death by her parents, a son Donald T. McCormack, two brothers Robert M. Hodges (MIA) and Jesse A. Hodges, Jr. (Lucija) and brothers-in-law Dale W. McCormack (Pat), Cornelius(Bud) Collins & Carlton D. Smith.
Pallbearers will be Joe Cleveland, Phillip Break, Timothy Break, Patrick Break, Andrew Break (grandsons) and John C. (Chip) Vance, Jr. (nephew).
A devout member of the Baptist faith, Linnie put herself in God’s Hands to battle two cancers, Carcinoid which took control in 2006 and Lymphoma in 2009. Chemotherapy sessions led to remission of the lymphoma in 2010. She fought the darkness of despair, and looked to the Light of God in her daily struggle with cancer. Her family wishes to thank the wonderful medical personnel at Hunt Regional Memorial Hospital and The Sammons Cancer Center (Baylor/Dallas) who guided her through the many required procedures in her daily fight; to Vita’s (All Saints/Baylor of Ft. Worth); and her many friends, especially Kennith and Laverl Kluttz and Betty Walding. May angels’ wings enfold her and give her peace, for she has given all of us a deeper appreciation of life and the true meaning of love.
Memorial gifts to charities of your choice are encouraged in lieu of flowers.
Online condolences may be made at www.cokermathews.com or www.heraldbanner.com