Linda S McCants Obituary (1947 - 2015)

Linda Carol Seaman McCants was called home by our Heavenly Father on May 19, 2015. Linda was 67 and a resident of Texarkana, Texas. She had been battling cancer and receiving treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas since January of this year. Linda was born in Tampa, Florida on June 1, 1947 to Meade Calvin and Clara Pearce Seaman. She spent her childhood in Tampa, Florida where she worshiped at Calvary Tabernacle Church and graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1965. She was a graduate of the University of South Florida where she received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1972. In 1967 Linda married Walter Charles McCants and they had four children. She was an elementary school teacher in Florida for almost 30 years. Most of her teaching career was spent in Clewiston, Florida where she raised her children. She was a strong voice for teachers and understood the struggles our educators face. Her love of education and desire to make improvements in the education system drove her to return to school to pursue a degree in Education Administration. She received her master's degree from the University of Florida in 1994. She worked as an administrator in Orlando, Florida for several years. When her first grandchild was born in 2002 she decided to retire and move to Texarkana, Texas to be closer to her grandchildren. There she cared for her mother and helped to raise her grandchildren. Linda, "Meme", had 12 grandchildren and loved them "to the moon and back". Throughout her life Linda fought for equal rights for women and encouraged others to stand up for what they believe. She loved the Lord, enjoyed listening to music, was quite a movie buff, enjoyed reading and mastering puzzles. She also enjoyed working in her garden and sewing. After retirement she continued to be active in her community working as a nanny and volunteering for the American Red Cross. Linda was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Hayden. She is survived by her four children, Lori Wood and husband Marshall, Juli Kaase and husband Kenneth, Chaz McCants and wife Carlye, Brad McCants and wife Nichole; 11 grandchildren, Haley, Hudson, Heath, Amanda, Sarah, Colton, Mason, Carter, Grayson, Ashton, and Layla; her brother, Meade "Skip" Seaman and wife Marilyn, and their sons Michael and Mark; and her loving Aunt Mary Lee Friday as well as numerous cousins for whom she cared deeply. Being the constant educator, Linda continued this legacy even in her death by donating her body to UT Medical School. The family is planning a memorial service this summer at the beach in Florida where they spent many vacations. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, http://main.acsevents.org/goto/LindaMcCants. Thank you to her friends and family for all the prayers and uplifting messages.