Linda Leeper

July 29, 1946 - August 26, 2013

Ms. Linda Osborne Leeper, age 67 of Franklin, passed away Monday morning, August 26th, 2013 at NHC-Cool Springs Place in Franklin, following a long illness. She was born on July 29th, 1946 to Victor and Elsie Osborne, in Gate City, VA.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Victor Osborne and her brother, David Osborne. She is survived by her daughter Christine (Jim) Kennedy of Lexington, KY; her daughter, Amanda “Mandy” Leeper of Franklin, TN; her mother, Elsie Osborne of Maryville, TN; her sister, Phyllis Daniels, of Alcoa, TN; her brother, Ted Osborne, of Gate City, VA; her sister, Barbara (G. James) Sherman, of Mt. Juliet, TN; four grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many close friends.

Linda was full of energy, and her fantastic sense of humor and big heart made it easy for her to make and keep life-long friends. She loved to sit and chat with her family and friends at the kitchen table or on the phone. While her health allowed, Linda enjoyed gardening, travelling both domestically and abroad, and above all, horseback riding. Linda never felt happier than when she was out riding horses with those she cared about.

Linda was a fighter. Although she battled cancer for the past nine years, she never gave up, and never felt sorry for herself. She participated in the experimental treatment program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, TN, hoping that her sacrifice would help save the lives of others someday. In fact, one of the experimental drugs she volunteered to help test several years ago has recently been FDA approved to treat breast cancer.

The family will celebrate Linda’s life with a visitation and memorial service at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home on Saturday, August 31st, 2013 from 12:30pm – 3:00pm. Interment to follow at approximately 3:15pm at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

To send flowers, please send them to Hameltt-Dobson, 117 E. Charlemont Ave., Kingsport, TN 37660, (423) 378-3134. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Linda’s honor to the Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org or by calling (800) 992-2623, or by donating to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at the top of this page.