Linda Lanford Foraker, 92, a lifetime resident of Mangum, Oklahoma passed away on October 13, 2024. Linda was born on April 22, 1932 to J. E. Lanford and Thelma (Hare) Lanford. She graduated from Mangum High School in 1950 and obtained her associate’s degree from Altus Junior College in 1971. Linda married Rhea Wallace Foraker on Valentine’s Day 1950 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mangum, and the two shared an eternal commitment to each other.
Rhea and Linda lived in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Biggs, California, and Chandler, Oklahoma before returning to Mangum to make their family home with their two daughters. After moving back to Mangum, Linda was a devoted stay-at-home mom before she became a teacher’s aid at Edison Elementary School. In 1972, Linda purchased Mildred’s Flowers, where she first worked in high school. At Rhea’s encouragement, Linda went on to become a successful business owner for thirty plus years.
Linda was an active member of her community. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and in later years attended the First United Methodist Church. She loved cooking and entertaining and was an avid reader, gardener, and antique collector. She regularly attended the Methodist Bible Study and was a member of Sayre PEO Chapter DK and The Order of the Eastern Star. Rhea and Linda were proudly the “Mom” and “Pop” of the Mangum High School Class of 1968. She enjoyed monthly meetings with the ladies of the “Nifty 50s” and met friends daily at the Hamburger Inn after Rhea’s passing. In retirement, she loved working and socializing at the Evening Edition and delivering the Enterpriser Newspaper.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents, J. E. and Thelma Lanford; Husband, Rhea Foraker; Sisters, Geralda (Lanford) Cook and husband Bill, and Mary Sue (Hare) Woodward and husband Charlie.
Left to honor her loving memory are her daughters, Melinda (Mindy) Foraker Colbert and husband, Dan, and Lindley Foraker Eldridge and husband, Dennis; Granddaughters, Megan Rhea Dawson and husband, Steven, and Macey Colbert; Great-Grandson, Hudson Rhea Dawson; Nephew, Steven Cook and wife, Ann, and family; Bonus Granddaughters, Carrie Colbert, Kelli Colbert, Nicole Eldridge, and Kaleena Eldridge; nine Bonus Great-Grandchildren; and a host of loving friends.
Family to Receive Friends 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M, Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Greer Funeral Home in Mangum.
Funeral Services are 2:00 P.M., Friday, October 18, 2024 at the First Methodist Church in Mangum, with interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery.
To send flowers in memory of Linda Foraker, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
17
Oct
235 South Pennsylvania
Mangum, OK 73554
Funeral
18
Oct
301 W. Jefferson St.
Mangum, OK 73554
Interment
18
Oct
115 south Penn
Mangum, OK 73554
