Obituary
IRABELLE THACKER LINKER CASSELBERRY – Irabelle Thacker Linker, age 86, passed away Saturday June 8, 2019 surrounded by her family. A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Irabelle was born on December 5, 1932 in Pikeville, Kentucky to William Thacker and Stella Robinson. She was raised alongside sisters, Leva, Elva, Billie, Betty, Roni, Patty and Merle. She was known for her feisty personality, being tough, having a sharp sense of humor and never hesitating to “tell it like it is”.
In 1949 she moved with her sister Patty to Greensboro, NC. She graduated from Bonlee HS in 1951, where she would always say “it was better to be a big fish in a little pond than be a little fish in a big pond”. After graduation, she worked at Sears Mail Order in the computer room and was there for 5 years. On February 28, 1953 she married Luther Jackson Linker “Jack”. She had 3 children, daughter, Andrea Wynne Haritan, and sons, Kimberly Craig Linker and Barron Keith Linker. In 1968 she moved to Jacksonville, NC where Jack became a bank auditor. They attended fancy parties and enjoyed being apart of the country club. In 1974 Jack became disabled and was no longer able to work, she became Jack’s caretaker and dedicated her life to him and raising her children until his passing on Jan 1, 1994. In 1982 she and Jack moved to Casselberry, Florida to live with her daughter Andrea and husband John Haritan and their 4 children, Heather, Holly, John and Haley. As fate would have it, in 1988, her son-in-law John passed away, and in 1996 her daughter Andrea passed away, leaving behind the 4 children. Irabelle was convinced it was God’s calling and dedicated her life to raise all 4 of her grandchildren. She had a tremendous impact on their lives and showed them the true meaning of unconditional love.
She loved her morning coffee and to sit outside with nature, watching birds and chasing squirrels away. She enjoyed cooking big homemade meals to “feed the neighborhood” and was known for her funny jokes and witty personality. Her drink of choice was a Bloody Mary and she was quick to say she didn’t need a drink to have a good time. She was confident and beautiful in every way. She was a truly remarkable woman who was completely selfless and never expected anything in return. She treasured all her family, children, sisters and friends. She would visit North Carolina as often as possible and undoubtedly missed her family there.
A Celebration of Irabelle’s Life will be held from 11-3pm at 107 Hilltop Place Altamonte Springs Fl 32714
Irabelle is survived by her sons Keith and Craig Linker, daughter-in-law Pam Wimbs, sisters Roni Williams and Meryl Riddle, grandsons, John Haritan and Brandon Linker, granddaughters, Heather Guillet, Holly Altemose, Haley Cruz, Kimberly Pruitt, Erika Forrester, great grandchildren, Autumn Malloney, Lily and Jolie Guillet, Trent Smith, Tristyn and Taylor Altemose, Peyton Haritan, Dylan and Bailey Pruitt, Jackson and Cooper Forrester, Brody Linker and great great grandson Pierce Guillet.
My deepest sympathy to all of Irabelle’s family. From reading her obituary, she was a beautiful woman inside and out and dedicated her life to helping her beloved family. She will be missed, but you all have an angel looking over you. God Bless