Linda Ann Barker Casburn, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, left this world on November 8, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 78. Born on August 27, 1946, in El Paso, Texas, Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Barker and Mary Kate Reames Barker of Las Cruces New Mexico and her brother-in-law Eli Eliason of Mimbres New Mexico. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Edwin Houston Casburn, her sister, Adel Eliason, a beloved niece Kristen (Donny) Smith and two nephews Art (Sue) Eliason and Carl Eliason.
Linda was raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She came from farming roots as her parents owned and operated a chili farm called FC Barker & Company in Las Cruces, NM. What began as a family vegetable farm later became a successful and well-known chili farm. Linda’s father, Arthur Barker, along with the Department of Agriculture at New Mexico State University, developed a hot chili seed called “Barkers Hot”. The new chili variety gained momentum quickly and FC Barker & Company sold the chili whole, crushed and as chili powder to local vendors as well as national chains. They were pioneers in the farming world as the first to dry, crush and grind chili into a powder. They also sold scraps to Revlon Cosmetics so that the dye could be used in products that Revlon manufactured. Upon Arthur’s death, the farmland was sold as was the business name. Today, you can still purchase Barker Chili at various grocery locations across The United States.
Linda was known for her musical talent. Her parents encouraged her at the young age of six to take piano lessons. Her talent blossomed as she learned to play the accordion in the fourth grade and the clarinet in the fifth. Linda once went on a high school band trip to California, where she played the clarinet in The Rose Bowl. She later attended the Tiffany Music Academy in El Paso and later, while residing in Houston, the Palmer-Hugh’s Accordion Academy. There, she joined the orchestra and performed in a concert at the prestigious Jones Hall. Her musical prowess earned her a guest artist spot on the Lawrence Welk Show, where she shared the stage with Myron Floren in an accordion duet.
Linda married her high school sweetheart Jack Alton Morris in 1963, and they remained married for 28 years. They had three children: Scott (Melissa) Morris, Kathy (Wilson) Korona, and Debi (Kenneth) Capps. They were blessed with many grandchildren: Joshua (Brittany) Capps, Emily (Ernie) Morales, Mason (Alyssa) Capps, Zachary (Ebonee) Morris, Lyndsey Korona, Abbie Capps, Zane Morris, and Zander Morris, great-grandchildren, Elijah, Emmett & Everett Morales, Audrey & Kenneth Capps, Lincoln Capps and Eloise Morris.
Jack and Linda lived in various places over the years including Las Cruces, El Paso, Houston, Galveston and Pleasanton. They moved to Devine in 1976, the place they came to call home where they raised their three children. Linda served as a secretary for Hurley Funeral for many years and as a musician and choir director for The First United Methodist Church. She was active in many community organizations such as The Garden Club, Eastern Star, The Chamber of Commerce and the youth group for the Methodist church. She volunteered her time from everything from accompanying high school band members on the piano for UIL competitions to volunteering at youth church camp to driving cancer patients to San Antonio to receive treatment. She enjoyed entertaining and always kept a beautiful home that was decorated for every season. She had a way of making holidays special and made everyone feel welcome who came into the family’s home. Above all, she enjoyed supporting and cheering on her children in their interest including volleyball, basketball, 4-H, stock shows, high school rodeo and more!
In 1992, Linda’s journey continued with her marriage to Edwin Houston Casburn, with whom she shared 32 years of love and music. Together, they formed a jazz band called “The Nova Tunes”. They played for numerous assisted living communities over the years, bringing much joy to the residents. Ed and Linda served in the choir for Blanco United Methodist and Bulverde United Methodist Church.
Linda also embraced her role as a stepmother and grandmother to Ed’s children Mark (Irene) Casburn, Kyle (Julie) Casburn, and Karen (Jewell) Gravell-Morris, and their children Annie (Brad) Buysee, Sarah Casburn, Benjamin (Ann) Gravell, Alexander Casburn, Amy (Noah) Austria, Garrett Casburn, Mackenzie Casburn, and great-grandchildren Willow and Violet Buysee, and Annika Austria.
Ed and Linda enjoyed a quiet life in Bulverde for many years where they hosted many family events, reunions, Christmases and grandkid sleepovers. They went on many adventures in their fifth wheel and planned many special camping trips just for the grandchildren. The grandchildren have fond memories that they will treasure of many special occasions that Grammie planned just for them. She will be dearly missed but her legacy lives on in the lives of those she loved.
There will be visitation for family and friends at Porter Loring North of San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 10am until service time at 11am. Interment will follow at Hill Country Memorial Gardens.
If you would like to express your condolences, or share a memory, you may do so at www.porterloring.com
