Linda J. Spradley

Linda J. Spradley, 75 of Harrisburg, passed July 27, 2020. Linda was reared in Tennessee and the daughter of the late Will Grill and R.B. Sweat, she was also predeceased by her husband Howard Spradley. Linda was a devoted member of First Zion Baptist Church, served on the Usher Board and was employed at Goodwill Industries for 42 years. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, watching tennis, game shows and westerns. Linda leaves a devoted son, Yonda Spradley and a host of relatives and friends. Services on Monday, August 3, 2020 at The Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 11 a.m., viewing 10:00 a.m., burial at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

Linda Joyce Sweat Spradley was born on Monday, August 28th, 1944, in Charlotte, Dickson County, Tennessee, to the late Will Grill and R. B. Sweat.  As an only child, she was raised on her family’s tobacco and livestock farm, raised with the youngest of her 5 aunts and 5 uncles, and surrounded by the love of her grandparents, the late Wesley and Levine Dotson Sweat.  

Linda received her formal education in the Dickson County School System.  As a young woman in 1968, and prompted by the unrest in the South during the civil rights movement, she decided to relocate to the north, and eventually settled in PA.  After several other employment positions, she found employment with Keystone Goodwill Industries in September 1978, and remained employed with the company for almost 42 years. 

She met Howard Spradley, and from their love together was born one son, Yonda. The two took their vows of matrimony in First Zion Baptist Church, Edgemont, where the entire family also joined and served in ministry.  Linda was a member of the Lady’s Auxiliary and a proud member of the Usher Board, as well as faithfully supporting her husband, who served as deacon. 

Linda loved vegetable and flower gardening, baking and knitting.  She adored all the little children she came into contact with in her church and in the store where she worked, and often asked about them far into their adulthood.  She also had a special love for watching tennis, westerns, and game shows.

Linda enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family.  She fished and boated enthusiastically alongside her husband and son.  She was extremely happy anytime she could make it back to her home in Tennessee, where she enjoyed seeing all of her family at the family reunions.  Most recently, she became a world traveler as she celebrated her 75th birthday on the Caribbean Island of San Andres, an experience she was most proud of.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, Linda was predeceased by her aunts and uncles, and her loving husband, Howard. She leaves to cherish her memory, son Yonda P. Spradley of Harrisburg, PA, cousins Lawrence “Tippee” Sweat, Michelle Sweat, and Rosemary Sweat, along with numerous other cousins, family and friends. 

The homegoing service for my mother, Linda Joyce Spradley, will be held on Monday, August 3rd, 2020, in the sanctuary of the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 212 N. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA, 17109.  The viewing will begin at 10AM, and the service will begin promptly at 11AM.  

We will be following all social distancing practices and procedures in the sanctuary.  Masks will be required to enter, and there is hand sanitizer available at the door.  If you plan on attending, you are most certainly welcome and your presence greatly appreciated, however please follow closely the directions of funeral home staff, church staff, and ushers. 

The color to honor my mother's life will be purple. 

If for any reason you are unable to attend, you are encouraged to join us livestream via this link https://youtu.be/dfsCfhAevCo This link is public and can be shared.  You are encouraged to leave personal reflections and your messages of love and support throughout the service.