Linda Thomas Yearout

Graveside services for Linda Thomas Yearout, 69, of Conway, South Carolina, will be 3:00PM, Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Tennessee Georgia Memorial Park in Rossville, Georgia. Mrs. Yearout passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Camellia Gardens with her family at her side. Born July 27, 1948 in Macon, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Thomas and Artie Baltimore Thomas Howard. On March 20, 1970 in St. Elmo, Tennessee, she married Steven Kimsey Yearout, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Yearout was a Dietary Director at Conway Manor Nursing Home in Conway, South Carolina, for 16 years. She was the Dietary Manager at Grand Strand Memorial Hospital in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for 3 years and several other hospitals and nursing homes in South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee, over a 35 year career. Mrs. Yearout also worked at the Carolina Opry as a hostess for 15 years in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in her spare time and for fun. She graduated from Johnson and Wales University with her Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. She was a Certified Dietary Manager and Food Protection Professional. In 1995, she was honored with the Dietary Manager of the Year Award and in 1999, she received an honor for Outstanding Dietary Manager. She also served as a Guardian Ad Liedun for six years in Conway, South Carolina. Mrs. Yearout was of the Baptist Faith and was a leader in the Girls in Action and a Vacation Bible School Teacher. She loved to travel. She loved listening to Celine Dion, Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand. She loved to make people happy. “Come on now…one more bite!” Mrs. Yearout could often be heard cajoling her patients at the nursing home where she was Dietary Director for 16 years until she retired in January of this year. She would often flash that sweet smile of hers and the patient would eat. In fact, Mrs. Yearout worked her magic on many patients for more than 30 years in hospitals and nursing homes. Mrs. Yearout toward the end of her life always ensured that those around her were well fed. Even in her weakened state, she’ll tell others, “Here, honey, you eat it,” when she didn’t feel like eating. And of course who could deny her when she flashed her brilliant smile? Mrs. Yearout’s outgoing, positive personality has made her well loved by all those who come into contact with her. What some people may not know is that with her beautiful smile came a ridiculously funny sense of humor. Mrs. Yearout loved to laugh almost as much as she loved bringing smiles to others by retelling a joke in her own, dramatic way with impeccable comedic timing. One thing is for certain, whether she was ensuring folks were fed, making them laugh, or simply sharing her optimistic attitude, Linda Yearout lit up any room with the magic of her smile. Survivors include her daughter, Kimsey Hodge of Thomasville; grandchildren, Mason Hodge and Jackson Hodge; sisters, Jean Guess of Mooresville, North Carolina and Joy Sharon Turner of Atlanta; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Thomas and Artie Baltimore Howard Thomas and her brother, George Terry Thomas. The family will receive friends 5:00PM until 7:00PM, Friday, May 18, 2018 at Allen & Allen Funeral Home in Thomasville, Georgia. Guests are invited to sign the online register at www.allenfh.com .