Linda Dirden

Linda Pearl Dirden was born on February 28, 1952, at Bonne Terre Hospital in Bonne Terre, Missouri, to Cecil W. and Georgia L. Bayless Hedgecorth. She grew up in Desloge, Missouri, and graduated from North County High School in 1970. Linda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Southeast Missouri State University in 1974. She began her teaching career at DeSoto Junior High School, where she taught general science from 1974 to 1977. On May 28, 1977, she married Joseph H. Dirden, and the couple made their home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Linda continued her teaching career at Cape Central High School, where she taught biology and later anatomy and physiology until her retirement in 2006. Linda was deeply involved in the life of First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau. She sang in the choir and served as director of the handbell ministry for more than 40 years. She loved the church community and its activities and continued to serve there after retiring from teaching, working on staff from 2006 to 2012. Linda became a follower of Jesus in 1961 at the age of nine at Desloge Baptist Church, a faith that guided her throughout her life. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2012 and lived with the condition for many years. Despite its challenges, Linda remained active and optimistic. She enjoyed coloring as a creative outlet to keep her mind sharp and her spirit engaged. She was a source of encouragement and joy to others, especially during her time as a resident at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, where she frequently visited fellow residents and shared her artwork. Before moving to the Lutheran Home, Linda volunteered as a Pet Pal at several care facilities in the area, regularly visiting residents with her beloved dog, Cooper. Linda is survived by her daughter, Wendy (Brent) Graviett; her son, Bruce (Teem) Dirden; four grandchildren, Amelia and Ella Graviett, and Pavanna and Latsamy Dirden; her sister, Susan Russell; four nieces, Samantha, Andrea, Jenna, and Mia; and a first cousin, Sharon Moore of Atlanta, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil W. Hedgecorth (1988) and Georgia L. Hedgecorth (2007), and by her husband, Joseph H. Dirden (2020). Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 1289 Lexingtron Ave., Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701. Celebration of Life will follow at 6:00 pm Monday at the church with the Rev.Wesley Tew officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Linda Dirden

February 28, 1952 - March 11, 2026