It is with great sadness that the family of Linda Mae Catherine (Stapleton) Ruggles announces that she passed away at home on July 23, 2024, at the age of 69.
Linda was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, on January 22, 1955, daughter to Troy Lee and Della Blanche (Scaff) Stapleton of South Shore and was the fifth of eight children.
Linda married Earl Richard Ruggles on June 19, 1973, in Pembroke, Virginia. They raised their family in Troutville, Virginia, and lived in the state for 34 years.
There was nothing around the house Linda couldn’t do. She enjoyed decorating, sewing anything from outfits to curtains, and could cook a meal for two or 200 (always with dessert!). She headed up Linda’s Luscious Loveables and took great pride in having catered for state government officials, weddings, and other celebrations, and made birthday cakes for just about everyone in Botetourt and Roanoke Counties. She spent a decade at Food Lion traveling to train cake decorators across Virginia.
In addition, Earl and Linda had a country store and took their wares to farmers’ markets, where Linda continued to display her culinary skills of canning, pickling, and preserving. She enjoyed sourcing farmhouse chic decor, the travels that led them on, and the folks they met along the way. She was incredibly hardworking and never idle.
Linda excelled in her ability to make you feel cared for. She could conjure a cup of coffee and a slice of pie out of thin air to catch up over, she never rushed your stories, and could listen and chat for hours. She raised and loved so many pets over time, one of the most special was her sweet Crickett.
She was a supportive, loving wife, mother, and dear friend. She didn’t miss her daughter’s softball games, cheered the loudest at her horse shows, and wanted everyone to see success and happiness. Linda was also a talented vocalist and enjoyed singing at The Brian Center in Fincastle, Virginia.
It’s impossible to summarize her 69 years in a few paragraphs, and doing so omits so many details. We know she touched so many lives, and will be greatly missed. Her legacy will live on through stories, memories, and love, and will be in our hearts forever.
Linda is survived by her husband of 51 years, Earl, and daughter, Amie (Sam Hookway) of Fort Collins, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Troy and Della Stapleton; siblings, Rose Mary and Gary Lee; and brother-in-law, Bill Munn. She is survived by her brothers and sisters: Suzanne Munn, Jesse (Marsha) Stapleton, Troy (Trish) Stapleton, Rita (Elbert) Timberlake, and Edward (Leta) Stapleton. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins, loved ones, and friend.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Globe Family Funeral Chapel, 103 Dudley Avenue at Garrison, with Bro. Gary Howell officiating. Burial will follow in Siloam Cemetery at South Shore.
Friends may visit after 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Globe Family Funeral Chapel at Garrison.
Pallbearers will be Sam Hookway, Leon Timberlake, Gary Lee Stapleton, Kevin Diller, Stacey Cooper, and Frank Stapleton.
Condolences may be sent at www.globefamilyfc.com.
