The daughter of Floyd and Motie Galavin, Linda Jean Galavin Stone was born on January 23, 1947 in Dallas, Texas.

Beautiful inside and out throughout her life, Linda was named Chosen Beauty in high school. She served on the student body council, was a proud Kilgore Bulldog cheerleader, and graduated fifth in her class.

As a young girl, Linda was enchanted by the Kilgore College Rangerettes. She fulfilled her childhood dream in 1965 and her years as a Rangerette remained a cherished chapter of her life. She later became a Longhorn, graduating from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s in education.

Linda began her career at E.B. Germany in Dallas before returning home to Kilgore to teach. She soon found her passion, following her love for writing, and spent the remainder of her career as an Advertisement Manager at the Kilgore News Herald.

Throughout childhood and college, the love of Linda’s life had always been close by. Barry T. Stone grew up alongside Linda and later played football at the University of Texas. They married in 1971 and were inseparable traveling with friends, golfing, attending B.B. King concerts, cheering on the Texas Longhorns, and always finding their way back to a beach chair on the shores of Destin, Florida.

At home, Linda was as much of a sports fan as Barry. She could effortlessly name players, team records and the latest news in nearly every sport. Golf and football were favorites, and nothing compared to their unwavering devotion to the Texas Longhorns.

While her heart remained full, a permanent void followed the loss of Barry in 2019. In her final days, Linda often spoke joyfully about being reunited with the love of her life.

Linda was surrounded by love in her final weeks, embraced by her nephew, Greg Stone, and dear friends—many of whom had shared more than 70 years of life together. She treasured her extended family, especially her dear friend and chosen sister, Kay Lynn Castles, and the Castles family’s children and grandchildren. From family Christmas with the Stones & Castles, to tea parties with Linda, Cheetos with Barry, and the joyful arrival of Stone Lemming—named in honor of the Stones—all the children adored their beloved “Barrylinda.”

She had a remarkable way of making others feel seen, loved, and special with her sweet smile, kind voice, and quick wit.

Linda is preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Barry T. Stone; her parents, Floyd and Motie Galavin; and many cherished friends. She is survived by—and forever held in the hearts of—her nephew Greg Stone, her sister-in-law Janice Stone, her God-daughter Eve Hampton Sawyer, and a long list of close friends whose lives were richer and more beautiful because Linda was part of them.

A Celebration of Life will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel in Kilgore with interment following at Kilgore Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until service time.

Flowers can be sent to Rader Funeral Home, or memorials made to the Barry T. Stone Scholarship Fund at Kilgore College.