Linda Sue Severns nee Nuckolls of Paducah, passed away at Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
Linda was born at home in Reidland in 1939 to John Edward and Mary Susan Nuckols (not a typo). She grew up in a house in the heart of Reidland across the street from Reidland United Methodist Church. She graduated from Reidland High School Valedictorian of the class of 1958. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Murray State College in 1962, and later added a Master of Arts in Education and academic work beyond a masters.
Linda first met her future husband, Jerry, at age 14 when he moved to Reidland. The United Methodist Church and the local drug store soda fountain were catalysts to their courtship. They married in 1961 before their senior years in college. Post graduation they briefly resided in Louisville before returning to Reidland where their three children were born and raised. They have been faithful members of Reidland United Methodist Church since their teenage years.
Mrs. Severns taught mainly freshman English at Reidland High School for about 32 years. She retired from her profession in 1995. She impacted thousands of students, many of whom she would recognize many years later and call them by name. Mrs. Severns is most often remembered for her haunted Halloween reading of The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. Her performance crescendoed with a blood curdling scream that terrified students, not only in her classroom, but in every classroom on the second-floor hall.
Linda was a strict grammarian in the classroom and at home; her children knew the forms of “be” before they could read. She vociferously disagreed with the accepted non-standard use of “snuck” (sneaked is correct) and cringed when anyone said “expecially.” She was a loving mother who let her kids make independent decisions from an early age and comforted them when they failed. Significantly though, Linda modeled to her family and students that a West Kentucky accent does not define you; knowledge, ability, and confidence do.
Linda is survived by her husband and loving partner, Jerry G. Severns of Paducah; daughter, Lisa (Mark) Escue of Trophy Club, Texas; son, Scott (Jennifer) Severns of Reidland, son, Stuart (Elizabeth) Severns of Knoxville, Tennessee. She leaves eight grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Annilin (Kieran Hynes) Severns of Jackson, Mississippi, Breck (Kevin) Klepeis of Paducah, Liana Escue of Apex, North Carolina, Abby Severns of Knoxville, Evan Escue of Big Sky, Montana, Curtis Severns of Paducah and William and Allen Severns of Knoxville.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two much loved brothers and their spouses: Donald (Jim) Louis and Nova Jean Nuckolls and Thomas Earl and Beverly Jane Nuckolls.
Although her family and friends mourn her passing greatly, they are comforted she has been welcomed into heaven with a glorious reunion and a pot of the best chicken and dumplings ever. Imagine how much fun their UK basketball watch parties will be y'all.
A memorial service, led by Rev. Katie Minnis, will be held at Reidland United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 27, 2024. A period of visitation will begin at 1:30 pm. The service will start at 2:30 pm with a reception in the church fellowship hall immediately following for all who wish to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Community Foundation of West Kentucky (cfwestky.org) directed to the Severns Family Endowment Fund at P.O. Box 7; 333 Broadway Ste. 530; Paducah, KY 42002.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
