Linda Sides

Linda Cheryl Copley Sides, 77, passed from this life peacefully in her sleep on March 6th in Gulf Breeze, Florida, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Linda was born to Samuel and Lillie Copley in Liberty, Texas, on June 20th, 1943. As a child, Linda grew up with a close bond to many of her family members in the once-thriving lumber community of Fostoria, Texas. She attended Splendora High School and was a member of the basketball team and was her class valedictorian. She was close to her community and as the town of Fostoria closed, she maintained her bond to the people she had grown up among as a girl. Until recently, Linda and her brother Robert would help organize an annual Fostoria Reunion for the many former residents. She loved getting back together with them each year, sharing fond memories, and preserving connections.

Linda was a dedicated family member and loved traveling, a love developed from the five years she spent living in Turkey in her twenties. She was married to Larry Sides for 39 years and they traveled extensively during that time, visiting Europe with close friends, and sharing numerous trips to Mexico with family and loved ones. A favorite trip was learning to snow ski with Larry in their 40’s with her dear friend, Maggie. In their later years, Linda and Larry spent many trips visiting parks and beaches around America in their travel trailer. They raised a blended family of three children and she dearly loved each of her seven grandchildren. She had the honor of holding and kissing her first great-grandchild last year – which would help lead her to want to relocate from Fort Worth to Florida.

Linda lived most of her adult life in Fort Worth, Texas, and was a member of the Lakeview Fellowship for over 30 years. In her church, she served as a Sunday School teacher and nursery volunteer. She loved children and her time with them brought her much joy. Before moving to Fort Worth, she had been the children’s librarian at the Montgomery County Library in Conroe, Texas – a job she always referred to as her favorite. For her, anything with family or children was always cherished. She was also a valued banker with Worth National Bank for many years, where she was a specialist in SBA loans. She was active in the Friends of the Library and the Chamber of Commerce in Lake Worth, Texas, and Lion’s Club in Azle, Texas.

Her family will remember her for her love, laughter, home-made meals she loved to create, and open door for anyone to visit at any time. She loved sharing her home with friends and family. They will also remember her for her never-fading beauty. She was always the most beautiful lady in the room and never took a bad photo.

Linda is survived by her husband, Larry Sides, children Chris Sides, Brad Dodson, and Stephanie Turner, grandsons Garrett Dodson, Forrest Turner, Hunter Turner, Kevin Sides, Phillip Sides, Swede Dodson, Paul Passmore, and great-granddaughter Violet Turner. She also is survived by her brother Edward Copley, sister-in-law Nancy Copley, and many other extended family members. She was joined in passing one day later by her younger brother, Robert Copley.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 20th, at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Fellowship at 9940 Morris Dido Newark Road in Fort Worth, Texas. The following day there will be a joint service at 10 a.m. for Linda and her brother Robert at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home at 303 E. Crockett in Cleveland, Texas. Afterward, she and her brother will be laid to rest near their parents and many other loved ones at Morgan Cemetery in Cleveland.