Linda Lou Rice McLaughlin Swecker

Linda was born Wednesday, Aug. 27, 1947, in Clarksburg, a daughter of late Vaughn Westbrook Rice and Ruth Page Rice. On Oct. 1, 2000, she married Autumn Eugene “Gene” Swecker, who survives at home.

Also left to cherish her memory is one son, Richard F. McLaughlin and wife, Lisa, of Cass; two stepsons, Shawn Swecker and wife, Michelle, of Clarksburg and Eric Swecker and partner, Brian Able, of Fairmont; one stepdaughter, Melissa Graham and husband, John, of Dailey; three sisters, Vonda Kay Wetzel and husband, Benjamin “Cuz” Wetzel, of Weston, Nancy Lee DeLaney and husband, William, of Albuquerque, N.M. and Paula Pickens and husband, Larry Pickens, of Pomeroy, Ohio; three brothers-in-law, Jay Rittenhouse and wife, Jo, of Buckhannon, Stan Talago, of Flemington, and Randall Swecker of Valley Head; four grandchildren, Joshua Friel and wife, Amy, Jeremiah Friel, Joseph Friel, and Caitlyn Swecker; three great-grandchildren, Jaryd, Elena and Evie Friel; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many other family members from her first marriage.

Preceding her in death besides her parents was her first husband, Richard M. McLaughlin; one infant daughter, Amy Lee McLaughlin; and two sisters, Cynthia Ruth Rittenhouse and Judith Ann Talago.

Linda attended Harrison County Schools and was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, class of 1966. She was also an active participant in 4-H and later became a 4-H Club leader for the Brush Country Bushwhackers in the 1970s in Pocahontas County.

She was a homemaker most of her life, but she did enjoy working. She worked as the secretary and bookkeeper for Highland Stone Company Inc. for three years and also worked for Companion Care of West Virginia for 14 years. Linda was a Christian by faith and attended Broad Oaks United Methodist Church in Clarksburg, the First Baptist Church of Elkins, and currently was attending the Mingo Presbyterian Church faithfully until her death. She loved God and her family unconditionally.

Linda loved the outdoors. She loved to travel with her husband, Gene. She especially liked to travel by planning both large and small camping trips to locations hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

In addition to camping, Linda loved riding 4-wheelers and gardening. She also loved making crafts and every year made many of her friends and family Christmas ornaments. She loved quilting, plastic-craft, knitting, crocheting and just about any other form of crafting.

Linda was also known for making sock monkey stuffed animal toys for every new baby in the family. She also loved to paint but had not done so for many years. In addition to these hobbies, Linda was also an Amateur (Ham) Radio Operator: Call Sign N8XXH. It was through Ham Radio that Linda met her first husband, not to mention a huge number of life-long friends.

Linda’s request for cremation was honored. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Linda’s name to the American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org

The Randolph Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements for Dorothy Hardy.

Send online condolences to the family at www.therandolphfuneralhome.com.