A Celebration of Life for Dr. Linda Delene Crumb, 86, of Chickasha, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 29, 2025 at the USAO Te Ata Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Allen Noble officiating.

Dr. Linda Delene Crumb was born on September 9, 1939, in Folsom, Oklahoma to Howard J. White and Evelyn Estel (Needham) White. She passed from this life on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

She grew up with strong Oklahoma roots and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1957 as valedictorian.

In 1957, Linda married Jim Crumb, and together they were blessed with two children, Donald Ray and Anita, who were the pride of her life.

Linda’s greatest passion was education, and it remained the guiding force of her life. She began her higher education at Murray State College, then continued at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU), where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Education from SOSU, graduating summa cum laude, and ultimately achieved her lifelong academic goal by receiving her PhD from the University of Oklahoma in 1986.

Linda dedicated her life to teaching in every realm of education. She began her career teaching kindergarten, later moving to third grade and second grade at Kingston Public Schools. She then taught high school business courses at Lone Grove Public Schools before transitioning to higher education. Linda spent 26 years as a professor of Business Education at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO), where she left a lasting impact on generations of students.

Teaching was Linda’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment. She believed deeply in the power of education and was always willing to help, mentor, and encourage her students—often going far beyond the classroom. Her excellence as an educator was recognized when she was named Professor of the Year at USAO in 1984-1985, 1991-1992, and 2004-2005.

In addition to traditional teaching, Linda was passionate about Adult Continuing Education and hosted the Elderhostel programs, sharing her knowledge and love of learning with adult students and lifelong learners. She truly believed education was for everyone, at every stage of life.

Among her many contributions to USAO, Linda also helped write the university’s fight song, which is still proudly played today—an enduring legacy at the institution she loved so dearly.

Outside of the classroom, Linda was an avid sports fan. She faithfully watched every Oklahoma City Thunder game, cheered passionately for OU football, and, most importantly, attended every possible game and event for her grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to support them.

Dr. Linda Delene Crumb will be remembered for her intelligence, compassion, dedication to education, and unwavering support for her family and students. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and inspired.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn White; her father, Howard White; and her son, Donald Ray Crumb.

She is survived by her daughter, Anita Fran Uhles; grandchildren Bradley Uhles and wife Kacee Uhles, Julie Uhles, and Jamie Uhles, all of Maysville, Oklahoma; her sister, Mary Fran Blagg of Sulphur, Oklahoma; her brother, Glenn White of Sulphur, Oklahoma; and her great-grandson, Hunter Uhles of Maysville, Oklahoma.

The service and cremation arrangements are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.