Linda Marie (Glendenning) Smoker (80) of Albany, Oregon, went home to be with Jesus so peacefully, May 8, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family.

Linda was born December 8, 1945 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Willard James (Jim) Glendenning and Ruby Marie (Burkey) Glendenning. They moved to Oregon when she was just 6 months old. She attended grade schools in Lebanon and Albany, JR High in Albany, and graduated high school at Western Mennonite in Salem. She loved her years there and made many life long friends. She met the love of her life, Emerson Smoker Sr., her senior year when he came from Pennsylvania for a friend’s wedding. It was love at first sight. She graduated and they were married 7 months later on December 22, 1964. They just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

They made their homes in Stayton, Albany, and Shedd, all in Oregon. She loved to decorate and was ahead of the trends most of the time, making their homes warm and inviting. Linda especially went all out decorating for Christmas. Every year was a different color scheme. In the last years she would always want to go back to her favorite; burgundy, cream, and gold. She loved glitz and glamour, and was dubbed the nickname “Queen” by her family. She wasn’t a big collector of things but the one thing she did collect was Nutcrackers. Just last Christmas she let all the kids, grands, and greats pick their favorite one, getting to take a picture with her and their pick.

She raised three children who love and adore her, Emerson Jr, Tammy, and Wendy. She raised them to love the Lord with all their hearts. Their family attended Plainview Mennonite Church for 26 years. After that, she and Emerson Sr. attended Albany First Assembly/Hope Church for the past 36 years. They were very active at both churches. Linda taught a “Mommies and Me” class to young mothers. Her teachings were rich as she had years of Godly wisdom being the most wonderful wife and mother. In 1970 she and Emerson along with 3 other families started The Good Shepherd Quartet. It started out as a men's a cappella group. Over the years,wives and children joined the singing, as well as adding instruments. They traveled around Oregon, Washington, and Idaho singing most weekends at churches, fairs, prisons, and conventions. She, with her keen fashion skills, made sure they ALL had matching outfits that were of the latest trend.

In her teenage years she worked hoeing bean fields, picking berries, and sorting beans in a cannery. After she married, she began her career as a homemaker and she did it so well. In 1976 Linda and her cousin Cory Baker started The Trunk Gift Shop in Lebanon, Oregon. They both got their florist license and added a Florist shop and also a restaurant in the back. They did that until 1981. Linda was also the very first receptionist for Rite Way Electric when Emerson started that.

No one was a stranger to her. She was a giver of her time, her love, her support, her prayers, and her JOY. She would drop everything to come running to help you. No one knew that better than her family. She is already so missed. She is survived by her husband, Emerson Smoker Sr.; her children , Emerson Jr. (Kay) Smoker, Tammy (Mario) Gutierrez, Wendy (Aaron) Nofziger.; her grandchildren, Tasia (Andy) Arnold, Tenae (Aaron) Slowik, Taylor Smoker, LaTavia (Ryan) Jones, Hayden (Evanne) Gutierrez, Hunter Gutierrez, MaKinley (Ethan) Halgren, Avery (Hannah) Nofziger, Cade (Faith) Nofziger; Great Grandchildren, Adelynne, London, and Kaceson Slowik, Owen Smoker, Raeghan Ogbonna, Avila and Bearik Jones, Lynneah, Haelynn, Oakley, MaKaelynn, and Rexley Gutierrez, Emerson, KoLynns, and LaKeleigh Halgren, Stellan Nofziger. Her sister Hazel (John) Schroeder. She is preceded in death by her Mom and Dad.