Linda Sue Doty Bare, born February 1, 1943, in Bone Gap, Illinois, was the daughter of Austin and Flossie Copley Doty. Linda lived a life rooted deeply in faith, family, love, and the simple beauty of the world around her.
Linda was married to her beloved husband, Eddie Bare, and together they shared 64 wonderful years of marriage. Their life together was filled with memories made camping, fishing, traveling, and enjoying time outdoors. Eddie and Linda were not only husband and wife, but each other’s best friends. In their later years, they especially enjoyed taking day trips through Southern Illinois, reminiscing about places they had visited and camped throughout the years. They would often stop for lunch or enjoy a picnic together beside one of the lakes they loved. Their life together was a beautiful example of enduring love, friendship, and companionship.
Linda’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and family always came first. She is survived by her husband, Eddie Bare; her daughters, Melissa (Tom) Higgins, Krista (Tim) Teel, and Tania (Jason) Haley; her grandchildren, Nathan Taylor, Meghan (Jack) Wilmot, Kelsey (Jared) Jones, Kenna (Jon) Stubblefield, Karson (Emily) Teel, Emma Haley, and Emerson Haley; and her great-grandchildren, Delaney and Emery Jones, and Hudson Stubblefield, with another great-granddaughter, Harper Isabelle Stubblefield, soon to arrive.
Linda also leaves behind her beloved surviving siblings, Bob (Shirley) Doty, Jo Brandt, Mary Kennard, and Gary (Judy) Doty. Of the six siblings, Linda shared a particularly close and loving bond with those who remain. They remained close throughout their lives, sharing family memories, laughter, love, and the special connection that comes from growing up together. Her siblings were an important part of her life, and she treasured each of them dearly.
Linda loved her family deeply, and that love was returned by each of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings. She treasured the time she spent with them and passed along not only her love, but also her knowledge, faith, and appreciation for the world around her.
Linda was a faithful member of the Mt. Carmel Church of Christ, where her church family became an extension of her own family. She loved the Lord with all her heart and served Him faithfully throughout her life. For many, many years, Linda maintained a large text message group through which she shared a Bible verse every day. It was one of the many ways she quietly shared her faith and encouraged others.
Linda had a deep appreciation for nature. She loved watching birds and could identify the many different species, a knowledge she happily passed on to her children and grandchildren. She also loved plants, trees, and flowers and enjoyed teaching others about them. Linda was a longtime member of the Mt. Carmel Garden Club and looked forward to the club’s outings and time spent with fellow members.
She found happiness in the outdoors, whether camping and fishing with Eddie, tending to plants and flowers, watching birds, or simply enjoying a peaceful day beside a lake. She had a gift for noticing the little things that made life beautiful and for sharing that appreciation with those around her.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Austin and Flossie Doty; her brothers, Richard Doty and Vance Doty; and her son, Lee Bare.
Linda leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, family, and countless cherished memories. She taught those she loved to appreciate God, family, nature, and the simple moments that become the most treasured memories of all. Her love will continue through the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings who were so blessed to have her in their lives.
She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a Visitation from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Vernon Higginson officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery in Bellmont, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made in Linda’s memory to Mount Carmel Church of Christ. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Linda’s tribute wall, and leave condolences for the Bare family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
