Linda Rae Dick, 75, faithful follower of God’s plan and long-time resident of Collierville, Tennessee, moved into her heavenly home on November 25, 2021. She spent her last mortal days cradled in the arms of her loving family, including her husband of 55 years, Willis.
Linda was well known among friends and family as an opinionated and humble but fierce champion who always looked out for the best interest of others. Never content to sit still, it tickled her to be dubbed a “water bug” by one of her dearest friends.
Linda considered family and friends to be her most precious blessing, being especially proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. By her own example, she taught them to be critical thinkers with integrity, boldness, perseverance, commitment, loyalty, courage, kindness, and thoughtfulness.
Next to her family, Linda’s greatest love was the town of Collierville, where she resided for more than 45 years, raised her family, and helped to build the thriving community’s foundation. Linda once commented about meeting then Mayor, H.W. Cox Jr., “He asked me what church I went to—not if I went to Church. To me, it showed the leadership in Collierville really cared about the individuals. I knew this was home, this is where my family needed to be.”
Linda was a Collierville Chamber of Commerce Board member for 12 years, serving as Chairman in 2006 when she oversaw the building and unveiling of a new Chamber Headquarters. Linda also chaired a number of Chamber committees including Government Relations, Festival of Homes, Affordable Housing, and Home Council. She also served on the Town of Collierville’s Design Review Commission and worked with local, state, and federal partners to bring FedEx Headquarters to Collierville.
In 2014, Linda was named the Chamber’s “Collierville Person of the Year” for her selfless and unconditional service to the town’s business community. At the time, she shared her feelings on what this prestigious award meant to her, “It’s an honor to be recognized, but I volunteered to do whatever it is I’ve done because I wanted to and liked it. I’m blessed. I was raised to leave the world a better place than when I got here. I’ve always wanted to help with whatever it is I’ve got to offer.” In 1993, the 20th Century Club recognized Linda as Outstanding Woman of the Year. She was also a 1997 graduate of Leadership Collierville, a graduate of CERT Training, and volunteer with CERTPlus.
During Linda’s 30+ year career in real estate, she established an award-winning Coldwell Banker brokerage in Collierville. After retiring, she served as Director of Marketing at Associates Promotion & Design, Inc., where she continued to help local businesses flourish.
In later years, Linda volunteered much of her time to various missions at Collierville United Methodist Church where she was a long-time member. It was at CUMC where she contributed her marketing acumen to help launch Collierville Connected, an organization of Collierville churches that bring community assistance to those in need.
When she wasn’t busy taking care of family, friends, or business, Linda enjoyed many hobbies such as scrabble, gardening, knitting, pottery, sewing, and making handmade Christmas cards. She was also a licensed ham radio operator as well as the family genealogist, storyteller, and picture-keeper. Linda always looked forward to “porch visits” with friends and watching nature (especially hummingbirds) from the windows of her living room.
Linda was born to Paul and Lavonne (Case) Thompson in Youngstown, Ohio. She is survived by her husband Willis Charles Dick of Collierville; daughter, Jennifer (Dick) Felsher of Annandale, Virginia; son, Christopher Dick and his wife Carla (Thomas) of Walnut, Mississippi; brother, Jeff Thompson and his wife Sharon (Potter) of Olive Branch, Mississippi; in-laws, Mildred M. Dick, and James and Kristine (Dick) Witte of Effingham Illinois; and numerous cousins residing across the country and in New Zealand. The role she cherished most was that of “Grandma” to Wheeler Allen; Austin and Peyton (Dick) Loftis; Elliot, Rhys and Julianna Felsher; and “GGma” to Adelynn, Kaylee, and Cade Loftis.
Services for Mrs. Dick will be held on December 4, 2021, at 12:00 pm, at Collierville United Methodist Church’s Sanctuary on the Square. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 am. A graveside service will be held immediately following the church service at Magnolia Cemetery in Collierville. Donations in Mrs. Dick’s memory can be made to Collierville Connected or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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