Linda L. Smith transitioned from this life on Friday, May 29, 2026, surrounded by her beloved daughter, son, sister, and family friend.

Born on September 15, 1950 in Melbourne, Florida, Linda Holloway was the 1st child of Hosea Holloway and Ruby Butler Holloway. Linda, along with her parents, relocated from Melbourne, Florida to New York, and eventually settled in Bridgeport Connecticut. As the eldest of her siblings, Linda doted upon her younger siblings, and was known for her vivacious, extroverted personality. She graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and subsequently attended The Computer Programming Institute in Willimantic, Connecticut.

Linda was a working mother, having worked as an employee of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, supporting adults with physical and intellectual disabilities who lived in various facility settings. She concluded her working career as a Secretary for the Connecticut Department of Corrections, and lastly a secretary for the University of Connecticut to support her family.

Linda loved life, her family, laughter, and most of all, she loved the Lord. She is preceded in death by her parents, Hosea Holloway and Ruby Butler Holloway, her brother, Hosea Holloway Jr., nephew Travis Holloway, and brother in-law Mark Gildea.

She is survived by her children, son James Bates, of Bridgeport, CT; sons Stephen Smith and Brian Smith, both of Willimantic, CT; and daughter Niki Smith Goguen of Storrs, CT. Also grieving the loss of Linda Smith are her siblings Laronya Lee of Boston, MA; Brenda Smith of Harrisburg, PA, Denise Holloway of Bridgeport, CT; Dawn Holloway, Anthony Holloway, and Todd Lee all of Willimantic, CT. Linda was also matriarch and loving grandmother to 7 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

Linda’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. Willimantic. There will be a non-denominational service and reflections of family and friends at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the funeral home, burial to follow at New Willimantic Cemetery.