- Our Dear Mother, Linda Lou DeGracia Boatwright (79) formerly of Center Point, West Virginia passed on to be with the Lord on November 3, 2018. Linda was born in Detroit, MI on August 31, 1939 and was "BORN AGAIN" in the early 60's when she received Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, as her own personal Savior.After graduating from Central High School, Linda joined the Navy as a WAVE and it was while in Florida for her advanced training, that she met and married a 1st Class Petty Officer. It was love at first sight for Linda, a 1957 Miss Philippines runner up, and Bunyan "Dan" Boatwright. Linda eventually left the Military to become a mother to six beautiful children, and Bunyan continued to serve 20 years before he mustered out and became an ordained minister in the early '70's. Early 60's; they founded "Jonathan Jewelers" Orange Park, FL. In 1971, the family moved to Michigan. It is there where they began pastoring and founded "The Boatwright Family Bakery" in Milford. In 1984. They retired to West Virginia where they pastored the Glenville Church of God, and subsequently opened "The Apple Tree Bakery" in Center Point. They resided together in WV for 16 years. A year after Dan's passing Linda closed the bakery and moved back to Detroit to care for her ailing mother. She eventually started volunteering at the Detroit VA Hospital. Her efficiency garnered her a full time job and she retired in June 2013. At the request of Jamie and her husband, she then moved to Cheboygan, MI to live with them. Her bedroom overlooked Lake Huron, the Mackinaw Bridge, Mackinaw Island's Grand Hotel, and just outside her window her bird feeders and what she called her "live entertainment center" with numerous birds and chipmunks, some of which she had named. Linda and her family moved just 9 months ago to Simpsonville, SC for a warmer climate and that is where she went on to be with her Lord. Linda is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bunyan "Dan" Boatwright, the son of Bunyan William Cockrell and Lula Mae Boatwright of Saluda County SC; her father, Basilio Ancheta DeGracia; her mother, Lillian Violet (Rakich) Mallare; Aunt Mildred (Rakish) and her husband Mert Quiton; Uncle's Charles, John and Thomas Rakich; her brother, Donald DeGracia; her stepdaughter, Angela Paige Boatwright-Adams. And Furry pals, Bruce, Buffer, Kippy, Charity, Keiser, Katrina, Bear, Boots, Tigerpaw, Gypsy, Princess, Cricket, Java, Sparky...Linda is survived by her aunt, Cosmedin Morden 96; 2 sisters, Diane Gelbach and Susan DeGracia; 6 children, 2 step daughters, 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren: her children; her daughter Deborah Lillian Spencer and 3 grand children: Richard (Richie), Kara and Nathon, and 2 great grandchildren Addisyn and Nathon Jr; her son Jonathan David Boatwright and his 3 sons: Kevin, Benjamin and Daniel; her son Jeffrey Scott Boatwright and his two sons: Dylan and Kyle; her daughter Jamie Lynn Boatwright-Davis and her husband John R. Davis, and Jamie's two children: Devyn Moreno and her great grandson Adore- Abel, and her loving grandson Brendan Tavian; her daughter Jody Louderback and her husband Eddie; Julie Boatwright and her children: Joshua, Aprille and Warren. She is also survived by Paige's children: granddaughter, Jennifer (Fitch) Moore, her husband, Tracy, and three grandchildren, Avery, Hayden and Chase; her grandson Steven Adams; and step daughters, Sharon Himes, and her 2 daughters: Megan and Allison; and Tangie Russell, and her children: Preston and Brittani; and also numerous cousins.A funeral will be held on Monday, 11/12/2018, at 3:00 p.m. at Pike Fork Community Church in Center Point, West Virginia. Burial will follow at Center Point Cemetery. An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.
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