Linda Lee Gatlin was bom in Bethany, OK on March 27, 1933, to her parents, Raymond Bates and Jenny Lee Gatlin, at the home of her Aunt Olive and Uncle Ralph. Days after her birth, she returned to her home with her parents in Tulsa, OK. Linda Lee passed from this earth and into the arms of God on August 17, 2025.

Linda was a lifelong Tulsan, attending Lowell, Burroughs, and Springdale Elementary schools and Cleveland Jr. High School. She graduated from Central High School in 1951.

After high school, Linda was employed by Jones & Laughlin Oil Company, then Oral Roberts'
ministries "Healing Waters" for five years.

Linda was raised in Springdale Baptist Church before attending North Utica Assembly of God, which merged with Springdale Assembly to become Lewis Avenue Assembly of God. It was there that she met her future husband, William Joseph (Bill) Crow. This marriage gave them three sons, Roger, Rusty, and Randy and numerous black Labrador Retriever puppies. Linda was married to Bill for 47 years, until Bill's death in 1999.

In 1959, Linda became a stay-at-home mom and was an active parent in the boys' activities including Cub Scouts, little league baseball, football, swim meets, band parents, PTA, Sunday school, and so much more. But every day, she was teaching her boys how to serve God and know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Linda often said that being a mother to her boys was the most enjoyable and important job she had.

Linda had a great love for music. Being active in her church and singing in the choir brought her great joy. During her first ten years at University Village Retirement Center, she was heavily involved in events and activities, including the University Village Choir. If there was ever a sing-along, Linda was in it. If there wasn't a sing-along, she would start one.

Linda enjoyed traveling. She traveled through the U.S. and Canada, eastern and western Europe and China. She also cruised through the Panama Canal and around the horn of South America. She loved sharing stories of her travels with friends and family.

Linda was an active member of the Lions Club, beginning in May 1956, serving in various clubs in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. She would serve the Lions for over 60 years, receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from Lions International. She would become Northeastern Oklahoma's District Governor and Council Chairperson.

Linda returned to work in 1970, working for ten years with the Tulsa Public Schools personnel department. In 1980, Linda went to work for Saint Francis Hospital and was the administrative assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the assistant hospital administrator. Linda retired in May 1999, to care for Bill in his last days. She would return to work with Saint Francis in late 1999, serving in the Surgical Family Waiting Room until 2017.

In 2000 Linda married Robert (Bob) V. Hughes they had a wonderful life together and enjoyed traveling across the U.S. and taking Caribbean cruises with the Lions Club. Bob passed away in 2006.

Linda moved into the University Village Retirement Center in September 2012. She lived in an independent living cottage and later moved into assisted living in 2022. She rekindled many friendships with fellow residents who had been church friends, work associates or neighbors. She grew very close to many of the loving and caring staff members at the University Village.

Linda was a loving grandmother, always asking how the children were doing and remembering to send a birthday card on their special day. She taught her grandchildren to always be ready for an adventure, whether it was taking them to new places, beating them in a board game, or just turning an ordinary day into something special. She had a way of making them feel loved and cherished.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Crow; her second husband. Bob Hughes; parents, Raymond and Jenny Gatlin of Chouteau, OK; brother, David Gatlin and sister-in-law, Dorothy Gatlin of Texas; and brother, Ray Gatlin of Oregon.

She is survived by her family; sons, Roger Crow of Jenks, OK, Rusty & Julie Crow of Ovvasso, OK. Randy & Shera Crow of Norwich, KS; sister-in-law, Bonnie Gatlin of Lincoln City, OR; cousin, Helen Lowery of Paris, TX; brother-in-law, David Crow and sister-in-law, Barbara Crow of Owasso, OK; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please make a charitable donation to:

OKWellstead
www.okwellstead.com

Mailed checks go to:
PO Box 30058
Edmond, OK 73003

Venmo:
@OKWELLSTEAD


Viewing will be 10AM - 8PM, Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 East 51st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma with visitation from 5:30PM - 7:30PM. Funeral service will be 11AM, Friday, August 22, 2025 at Newspring Family Church, 2907 West 108th Place South, Jenks, Oklahoma.