Linda J. “Mudder” VanMeter, 73, of Elizabethton, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2015, at her residence. Linda was a native of Carter County and a daughter of the late Carl Elbert Townsend and Jean D. Townsend. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne VanMeter, and two brothers, Carl Wayne and his wife Betty Townsend and Michael “Tank” Townsend.
Mrs. VanMeter was a retired LPN and was of the Christian faith. She enjoyed watching game shows, crocheting, sewing and working in her flower garden.
Survivors include one daughter, Jeannie Parke and Robert Shelton, of the home; one son, Rev. Lance Bacon and wife Rev. Crystal Bacon, of Poquoson, Va.; six grandchildren, Terry Tabor, Gregory Parke, Kyra Bacon, Austin Null, Braelyn Bacon and Cheyenne Bacon; her siblings, Carmen VanMeter and husband John, Elizabethton, Samuel Townsend and wife Ely, Philippines, Richard Townsend and wife Nancy, Coeburn, Va., and Susan Heaton and husband Ric, Raleigh, N.C.; one half sister, Camanda Irick, Elizabethton; a sister-in-law, Donna Townsend, Elizabethton; her close friends, Juanita Sheffield and Michelle Payne; and lots of nieces and nephews.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Linda J. “Mudder” VanMeter will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Lance Bacon officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at the residence at anytime. The graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, July 24, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be her grandson, Gregory Parke, and her adopted grandsons, Keith Lynch, Ryan Bowers, Chris Russell, Logan Buckles and Chad Carr. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 9:15 a.m. Friday to go in procession. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the VanMeter family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.