Linda Karen Upchurch, 59, of Victoria, passed away Sunday March 25, 2018. She was born Linda Karen Smith on February 7, 1959 to Richard H. Smith and Adnearl Cooley in Victoria, Texas. She grew up in Cuero and Victoria and graduated Cuero High School in 1977 and loved Gobbler football. She married the love of her life, Marvin Franklin Upchurch, on May 28, 1993 in San Antonio and traveled all across the country with her man. Linda was a property manager for Formosa for 10 years and other management companies in Houston, Corpus Christi, and San Jose, California. She loved these jobs because she enjoyed meeting people. Linda was a member of Cuero Church of Christ where she loved listening to her Dad preach. Her greatest joy she gained was when she was with family. No one enjoyed family gatherings more than Linda. She always welcomed anyone into her home and had a wonderful gift of making even strangers feel like family. Linda was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and grandmother. Linda was blessed to still have her parents (and step parents) in her life and loved them dearly. Even during rough times of her life, she never gave up on family and put their concerns above her struggles. Linda was blessed with 3 beautiful grandchildren that she adored. Everyone in her large blended family held a special place in her heart. She loved floating the Frio River, dancing with her "Frankie", and many wonderful outings at the beach. At the moment Linda stepped into God's arms, she was surrounded by her loving family. She would have wanted it no other way than to have everyone close to her when she walked through those heavenly gates. She will be dearly missed by many.

Linda is survived by her parents Richard Smith and wife Jobeth of Cuero; mother, Adnearl Cooley and husband Johnny of Victoria; daughter, Jennifer Ashley Hilbrich and husband Brandon of San Antonio; son, William Randall Kitchens of Houston; sisters, Lana Cooley and husband Jay and Elizabeth Barta, both of Victoria; brothers, John Smith and wife Stacey of Cuero and Shane Smith and wife Trish of Victoria; Step brothers, Mark Davis, Mike Davis, Scott Cooley, Todd Cooley; Step sister, Lisa Davis Wright; Grandchildren Kinley Kitchens, Kason and Ellisyn Hilbrich. Linda was blessed with many nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters in-law and countless precious friends.

She was preceded in death by her precious husband Frank on February 5, 2015, and grandparents.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 27 from 5-7 at Freund Funeral Home in Cuero. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 28 at 2 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home with Mark Davis officiating. Burial will be at Westhoff Cemetery following the service.

Pallbearers will include Ramsey H. Smith, Jared L. Barta, Michael J. Barta, Tad A. Cooley, Tyler Kimbrel, and Marshall Aitkens.  Honorary pallbearers include Madison Smith,Amanda Brandt, and Calli Repka.

Memorials and donations may be directed to the Cuero Church of Christ or Presbyterian Children's Home of Itasca (156 Private Road 443. Itasca, Texas 76055 (254)687-2302).


The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mary Gomez and Kathlene Valle, her physician Dr. Arun Jain, and Accolade Hospice Nurses, Brenda Lord, Ashley Eggebeen, and Katie Freytag.