Mrs. Linda Kay Houchins , 62, of Norman, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 21, 2012, at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City following a brief illness.

Services were held Wednesday at Alameda Church of Christ in Norman.

Linda was born Oct. 31, 1949, in Oklahoma City, the daughter of B.C. and Estell Dodson.

Linda attended Putnam City schools, graduating from Putnam City High School in 1967. She later enrolled at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, completing two years there before beginning a career as a bookkeeper with Bob Moore Cadillac. Linda was united in marriage to Mr. Larry Houchins on May 8, 1976, in Oklahoma City. Afterward, in 1977, Linda joined the staff of Cole, Paine and Carlin Insurance Agency, remaining there for the next 23 years before retiring in 2000.

Linda enjoyed remodeling and redecorating her house, making it a beautiful home. From the interior to the exterior, Linda 's special touch is everywhere. She also was a great seamstress and was delighted to design and make custom drapes to hang in her children's homes. She also handmade beautiful quilts, enjoyed collecting Santa Claus figurines and loved spending time at arts and crafts festivals, especially "An Affair of the Heart" in Round Top, Texas.

Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her seven grandchildren. They were simply the light of her life. Christmas was Linda 's favorite time of year, and she enjoyed spending it with her family, baking cookies with her grandchildren, listening to Christmas music and decorating her house with all the Christmas cheer. Memaw, as she became known to her grandchildren, spoiled them with nothing short of love and adoration. She was the happiest when she was with them. She will be missed, but will live in the hearts of her family forever.

Linda was a member of Alameda Church of Christ of Norman.

She was preceded in death by her father, B.C. Dodson.

Survivors include her husband of more than 35 years, Larry of the home in Norman; her mother, Estell Dodson of Oklahoma City; one son, Ryan Houchins and his wife Kenda of Edmond; two daughters, Michelle Askins and her husband Michael of Edmond and Laura Thomas and her husband Jason of Lewisville, Texas; seven grandchildren, Jessica Askins, Zackery Askins, Sidney Thomas, Rhett Thomas, Ryleigh Houchins , Sophie Houchins and Garrett Houchins ; and one sister, Jan West and her husband Neal of Broken Arrow.

Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements for Linda and her family were placed in the care of the Vice family at Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.