Linda Clevenger Eckard Bell, 68, was a precious woman who left to go rejoice in the presence of the Lord on September 1, 2012, at Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gastonia, North Carolina.

She was born November 18, 1943 in Wayne County, Michigan, the daughter of the late James Donald and Alene Fine Clevenger.

The family once lived in Newport and attended West End Baptist Church. Linda also attended Edgemont Elementary School and has friends and relatives there.

A funeral service was on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, held at Berea Baptist Church, 2522 Hickory Grove Road, Gastonia, by the Revs. Odell Cook, Ronnie Bowers, and speaker Wilson McDonald.

The family received friends at Greene Funeral Service, South Chapel, 1503 S. York Road, Gastonia. Interment was in Gaston Memorial Park, Gastonia.

Pallbearers for the service were Ann Eckard, Brenda Eckard Rhodes, Dinky Eckard, Carolyn Eckard Williams, Myra Eckard Rhyne, Jill and Kelly Eckard.

Mrs. Bell is survived by her husband of 16 years Joe Wilkins Bell; daughter Melynda Eckard Craig of Cramerton; son Paul Timothy Eckard and wife Dana of Gastonia; stepson Donnie Welch Bell of Winston-Salem; grandson Justin Revels and wife Sarah of Princeton; granddaughters Miranda Hill Graham and husband Richard of Gastonia and Brittany Duran of Gastonia; great-grandchildren Cameron, Zachary, and Mattisen of Princeton; brother Quindell Clevenger of Belmont; sisters Barbara Clevenger Moore and husband Johnny of Cramerton;  Carolyn Whitworth of Bessemer City and Cynthia Clevenger of Belmont; brother and sisters-in-law Ann Eckard, Carolyn Williams and husband Joe, Danny Eckard, Mike Eckard and wife Dinky, Myra Rhyne and husband Scott, Joe Eckard and wife Jill, Terry Eckard and wife Kelly, Wilson McDonald and wife Clara and Ruby Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband of 35 years Buddy James Eckard, dear sister Gloria McDonald, and brothers-in-law Bobby and Bill Eckard.