Linda Barnard

Linda Lee Browning Barnard passed away from dementia in her home in Rockland, Idaho on February 06, 2023, at 82 years of age.  Linda was born on June 17, 1940 to Vannie Lee and Alma Belle Rowland Browning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  She was the first of 3 children.  Linda attended Istrouma High School where she graduated in 1958.  She was proud to be an Istrouma Indian.

Following high school, she modeled for several clothing stores in the Baton Rouge area.  She also was hired by the Baton Rouge Police Department for record keeping and key punch.  She enjoyed her work there for 3 years. She loved that job and always said, “I hated to leave that job in order to marry Charles.”

Ernest Charles Barnard was a missionary in the Gulf States Mission.  He enjoyed meals at the Browning home.  After Charles completed his mission, he inquired about Linda to her parents to see if she was married and if he could write her.  They wrote letter back and forth where finally Charles met Linda on Temple Square in Salt Lake City and proposed to her.  She said YES.

They married in the Hiawatha LDS Chapel in Baton Rouge on October 26, 1963.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls temple on November 8, 1963.

Linda and Charles started a new life at the Barnard Ranch in Rockland, Idaho.  Together, they had three sons, LaRon, LaMar, and LaDean.

On January 1, 1972, LaMar passed away at four years old after a nine month battle with cancer. This devastated Linda and the family, leading to a brief move back to Louisiana and Mississippi.

In May 1976, the family moved back to Rockland.  Linda took a job as the Assistant Cook at Rockland School in the fall of 1977 where she worked there until 1996.  Many children and teachers remember the great meals they ate during that time.

After she retired, she became the primary caregiver for her mother for over seven years. During that time, she also embraced her love of cross-stitching, gardening, and canning.

Her other main loves included the LDS church, her family, Louisiana, ward pianist and organist for many years, and cooking enough to feed anyone who happened to stop by for a visit. Many residents of Rockland enjoyed her home-cooked meals, holiday shrimp dip, and generous desserts.

Linda will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and community.

Preceded in death by her son, Charles LaMar, her husband, Ernest Charles, and her parents, Vannie Lee and Alma Belle Rowland Browning.  She is survived by her brothers Ronald Wayne and Vannie Marlin Browning, and her sons, Marlon LaRon and Robert LaDean Barnard.

Visitation will be held at the Rockland LDS Church on Sunday, February 12th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  A viewing will be held on February 13th from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.  The funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by the Dedication of the Grave at the Rockland Valley View Cemetery.

The Barnard Family would like to THANK Heritage Hospice, especially Patti, Megan, and David for their love and great care they gave to Mom over the past 2 years.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Primary Children’s Hospital (https://donate.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/) or Rockland LDS Ward Missionary Fund.

To order flowers, or to share condolences, memories, and photos, please visit DavisRoseMortuary.com.