Linda Lou Swinney, 78, of Bloomfield, Indiana, went to Heaven on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at IU Health Hospice House in Bloomington. She was born on February 9, 1946, in Linton, Indiana to John Byron and Mary Catherine (Flynn) Keys. Linda married Gerald A. 'Gary' Swinney on April 15, 1980.

Family left to cherish the memories of Linda include: her children, son, Marty Allen Keys of Solsberry, IN, son, John Tyron Keys of Sullivan, IN, son, Thomas Wayne (Jamie) Staten of Hymera, IN, daughter, Kimberly Hudson (Danny) King of Bloomfield, IN and son, Michael Wayne Hanson of Bloomfield, IN; grandchildren, Kyle Jacob Hudson and Lindsay Anne Staten; great-grandchildren, Traycen James Barlow and Trenton Michael Potts; step-grandchildren, Makayla King and Taylor King.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Gary Swinney.

Linda loved spending time with her family and was faithful to bring the family together every Sunday for a home-cooked dinner which she loved preparing.  She is famous for many recipes, but a favorite of both family and friends, was her fried chicken, which has yet to be duplicated.  Linda knew how to take a little bit a make it go a long way to feed her family – including four growing boys, a husband, a daughter and her mother who lived with the family until she was able to get her own place just behind the family home as well as many family friends and neighbors.

Linda married her late husband Gerald on April 15, 1980, and they loved upholding family holidays and traditions, traveling (especially to the Smoky Mountains), shopping (especially at Christmastime) and they were very well known in the community for their sale of pumpkins and mums. Other hobbies included painting, growing beautiful flower gardens and collecting and decorating her home with antiques.  She also didn't know how to throw anything away.

Linda had a sense of humor that defined her in a unique way that she never lost.  She also especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved dearly and who all loved her dearly and lit up anytime they visited.  She was proud to be a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Linda and her husband began attending church in their later years, but it wasn't until 2022 that she gave her heart to Jesus who made a noticeable and profound change in her life.  She was very content with the simple things, being with her family and talking about the past, while looking forward to the future and being reunited with those she missed and loved.  She will be greatly missed but we are reminded that this separation is temporary and look forward to the day when there will be no more goodbyes.

Funeral services to honor the life of Linda will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Ridgeport Community Church in Bloomfield. Linda will be laid to rest in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM on Thursday at the church.

Arrangements and care have been entrusted to Meng Family Funeral Homes, Anderson-Poindexter Chapel in Linton.  Condolences and memories may be sent to the family online at www.andersonpoindexter.com.