Linda Taylor Newton

Linda Taylor Newton passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, at the age of 86,leaving behind a life filled with family, love, determination, and many stories.

 

Linda was born on August 20, 1940, in Leesburg, Virginia. In 1958, she married the love of her life, Lawerence “Virgil” Newton. They moved to Florida in 1969, where they raised their family and built a life together. Linda and Virgil shared 59 years of marriage before his passing in 2018. He remained the love of her life, and her love for him never faded.

 

Linda had an entrepreneurial spirit, a creative nature, and a wonderful zest for life. Int he 1970s, she became the first Sales Director with Mary Kay in South Florida. She later started her own floral arrangement business and owned a landscaping company. Linda and Virgil spent much of their lives working side by side, with their final career becoming a 25-year partnership in real estate. They were truly partners in both life and work.

 

Linda loved her family history and was a natural storyteller, always sharing memories and tales from the past with her children and grandchildren. She was also a published author. Her grandchildren inspired her to turn her love of storytelling into a two-book children’s series, The Adventures of Katelyn, Gracie the Ghost and the Magic Horse. Her books became a special way to preserve the imagination and stories she loved sharing with her family.

 

Linda also experienced the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Suzanne Short, who passed away in 2020.

 

She is survived by her son, Larry Newton and his wife, Loretta; her daughter, Kristina Smallwood and her husband, Craig; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Her family will remember her strength, independence, spunk, and the stories she made sure would never be forgotten.

 

Linda leaves behind a family she loved deeply and a lifetime of memories that will continue to be shared for generations.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 14 at The Newton Family home, where family and friends will gather to remember Linda and honor her passion for hosting.