Linda Gail Castle Hager: Longs
1946 – 2024
Linda Gail Castle Hager of Longs began her journey in this world on June 29, 1946.
She started her footprint in Kingsport, Tennessee. Over the years, she has touched so many people in so many different ways, with her loving, helpful, comforting soul. She loved her family like no other, her children especially. Over the years, she developed many different names for herself, the first one being “Mom”.
Linda has three biological children, Laverne Church Vandegrift, Lawrence Church, Jr., and Lisa Church Frederick; they are listed in order from oldest to youngest. She decided she wasn’t finished spreading her motherly love. She also had two adopted daughters: Chelsie Church and Ashley Vega. Sadly, Ashley passed away in 2021.
“Nanny” was her preferred name of contact. Nanny was the matriarch of our family. If anybody needed anything- food, a place to stay, a good conversation, or a shoulder to cry on- one could always count on Nanny, right or wrong. When Nanny found a fondness in someone, they would always feel safe and secure. She had a way of making one feel invincible, so that nothing could ever or would ever get through her strong force field of love and protection.
She put her husband, Donald Lee Hager, to rest on Jan. 31, 2016. She devoted more than 30 years of her life to caregiving to the love of her life. Sadly, Donald was in a car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to care for himself. Nanny stepped up to the plate on several occasions when she didn’t have to. She was truly a force to be reckoned with. The impact and devotion she has shown in her life gives hope that humanity is truly capable of making this world a better place.
Linda had a flamboyant personality that became more apparent when one of her favorite songs was played. If someone was around her, they would know exactly where the party was; it was her. In her younger years, she had a true passion for woodworking, she was quite crafty.
Linda will be truly missed and will never be forgotten by the ones she has left behind. She won her battle with dementia and unlocked her ultimate freedom on April 15. She was surrounded by her loving family at her home in Longs. She grew her wings and left this world for her next journey.
Linda’s legacy will be carried on by her children, Laverne Church Vandegrift (Richie Vandegrift), Lawrence Church, Jr. (Patricia Gibson), Lisa Church Frederick (Tarver Sammons), Chelsie Church (Joseph Williams); her grandchildren, Jamie Livingston (Ryan Livingston), Danielle Perry Miller (Chris Miller), Jay Kline, Daniel Perry, Jr., Brandi Church, Lawren Church (Dallas Brazee), Lawrence Kelly Church, Rebecca Frederick Morris (Matthew Morris), Ernest Frederick (Samantha Redeen), Bianca Hardee, Colleen McGaw, and Emily Frederick; and her great-grandchildren, Arianna, Marcus, Mason, Austin, Dillion, Dalton, Drake, Jaxon, Harley, Cameron, Brice, Madelyn, Kylee, Shane, Lillie, Andrew, DJ, Zy”an, and Bernadette.
Mrs. Linda Hager was welcomed to heaven with open arms by her husband, Donald Lee Hager; her father, Ralph Castle, Sr.; her mother, Virginia Rucker Castle; sisters Brenda Castle, Carol Castle, and Darlene Castle; her brother, Jerry Castle; her adoptive daughter, Ashley Vega; and her grandson Willie Lowry.
We love you nanny.
Memorial services will be private.
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