Linda S. Youngblood

Linda Simmons Youngblood, age 82, of Liberty, South Carolina went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, May 22, 2026. Linda was born at Arial Station in Easley, South Carolina to the late Joseph Rowe “Jaroe” and Maggie Herd Simmons. While Linda’s physical and cognitive health were failing, she often prayed that God would call her to Heaven to be with Him and family members gone before her. Linda and her family were on vacation to Cheyenne and some of the Wyoming national parks. They took a day trip to the Snowy Range complete with a “required” ice cream stop in Centennial. Linda witnessed God’s awesome wonders of nature and wildlife with snow-covered peaks that seemed to reach Heaven. Her vacation was cut short last Friday when God answered her prayers as they returned through Laramie. No doubt, Linda was much happier seeing Heaven than the Tetons and Yellowstone that she missed! At 15 years old, Linda left Pickens High School to marry her loving husband David Walton Youngblood and begin their first careers with the Navy. David enlisted, but Linda served too as a devoted wife, mother and supporter of all those who served our country. She wore a memory bracelet and prayed until long after the war ended for a MIA who did not return from Vietnam. For over 20 years, she followed David to ports in San Diego, Newport, Great Lakes, Virgina Beach, and finally back home to the Greenville Naval Reserve Center. Linda made many “Navy Family” friends and maintained contact with them throughout her life. In the 1970s, Linda and David began their second careers in Pickens County: David in law enforcement while Linda worked at Sangamo and Walmart and later volunteered at Cannon Hospital. With her big smile, Linda was a pleasant face to assist you entering the hospital and at the old Easley Walmart’s registers or as the manager of the fabric and snack shops. When she retired, Linda joined a close-knit group of former Cannon volunteers and their friends who have a standing Friday night date at local Pickens restaurants. Linda was also a proud member of the Pickens View Wesleyan Church from a young adult age to her passing. Linda is survived by her son Jeffrey Youngblood (Nancy) of Sumter; a sister Betty Gilstrap of Easley; granddaughters Carol Stepanian (Chad) of Sumter and Katie Holcombe of Aliquippa, PA; a grandson Austin Youngblood (Savannah) of Easley; granddaughter Madison Youngblood of Central; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Because she had missed many family events while living away during those Navy years, Linda enjoyed holiday and special events with her Simmons family, her grandson Austin and his family, and with Jeffrey and Nancy and their family. She loved all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and wanted to see them often. In recent years, she especially enjoyed eating at LongHorn Steakhouse with Madison and Landon. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Michael David Youngblood, and brother Charles Edward Simmons. The family would like to thank all of Linda’s health care providers. Since January, Linda lived with her niece Susan Simmons (the daughter she and David never had). Honorary “family members” Russell Chambers (her health enforcer) and Mary Evans (her therapy partner) provided daily assistance which will forever be appreciated. Visitation will be Monday, June 1, 2026, from 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at the Mountain View Funeral Home, 105 Florence St., Pickens, SC 29671. A committal service follows at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2410 Gentry Memorial Hwy, Pickens, SC 29671. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Linda to the Cannon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary at 123 W G Acker Dr., Pickens, SC 29671 or to the Pickens View Wesleyan Church’s meal programs for shut-ins and funerals at 744 Bethlehem Ridge Rd. Pickens, SC 29671. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.mountainviewfunerals.com

Linda S. Youngblood

November 1, 1943 - May 22, 2026