Linda Svoboda-Braddock

Linda Faye Svoboda Braddock, age 64, passed away peacefully on Thursday, the 5th of October in Smithville, Texas. Linda was born on the 4th of September 1953, to Evelyn and Louis Svoboda in Smithville. She graduated from Smithville High School in 1972. During her high school years, she was named FFA Sweetheart, Drum Major for the Marching Tiger 100 Band, and Miss Smithville. Upon graduation, Linda attended St. Edwards’s University in Austin, Texas for two years before transferring to The University of Texas at Austin. She graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Composite Social Studies. After graduation, Linda moved to California, working as a Vista Volunteer in Redwood City, California. She moved back to Austin after a year, and went back to school to earn her teaching certificate. She began her 27 year long teaching career in 1983, retiring in 2010.

It was during her teaching career in Smithville that she found her special and true calling in life. Teaching first grade through junior high, she touched the lives of countless students. “Mrs. Braddock” was the cool teacher, the one you wanted to see your name under when the class assignments were posted on the doors of the school. Even when she taught general subjects, she found a way to bring art into her classroom, creating a magical learning environment. It was common for her entire room to be transformed into a rainforest, complete with her famous cat masks. An ocean themed classroom was complete with swimming fish on pulleys. The last several years of her career were spent as a junior high art teacher. Linda inspired students to think outside of the box, create art, make mistakes, learn about life outside of their own worlds and that it was ok to be different. She had the wonderful ability to make all children feel accepted and special; to know that they had something beautiful to offer the world.

Linda and her husband of 31 years, Craig, were married in 1983. They both loved to travel, with several family trips to the Dry Tortugas near Key West, Hawaii, Mt. Rushmore, and Texas beaches. After their retirement, Linda and Craig spent time together traveling multiple times to Disney World, Hawaii and Seattle. Her favorite place in the world was Chicken Beach in Kauai.

As a mom and aunt, she had the ability to make childhood magical. Summers were filled with trips to dinosaur museums, movies, cultural events, library trips, and swimming. Mom volunteered as the leader of our Girl and Boy Scout troops, always taking them on field trips and helping with summer camps. She was our bedtime monster chaser, thrower of birthday parties, maker of elaborate Halloween costumes, world class chef, and encourager of dreams

As we became adults ourselves, Mom always lent thoughtful advice, generously gave her time to help with our businesses and families, and was a loving presence in our lives. In 2013 and 2016, Linda became a LiLi to her two grandsons, Beckett and Cullen. It was a role that she embraced enthusiastically. Content to hold “her babies” for hours, she developed a very special relationship with them. She and Beckett would go on adventures on their ranch, inspecting rocks every few feet with patience and excitement. Cullen and LiLi would practice new words constantly and visit his beloved cows.

Always creating art, Linda became interested in quilting the past few years. She loved going on quilting retreats with her special sister, Marilyn; even going on a quilting cruise together. Gardening and reading filled her days. Her favorite musical was The Lion King, attending it multiple times,while bringing different family members each time so they could experience it, too. Linda loved to cook, creating delicious meals for her family to enjoy. Her green beans with bacon were famous! She had a dry sense of humor and could make you laugh until you cried.

Linda is predeceased by her parents, Evelyn and Louis Svoboda. She is survived by her husband, Craig; daughter, Sara Shalvey and her husband, Rob; sons, Andrew and Nick; grandchildren, Beckett, Cullen, Riley and Konner Shalvey; siblings, Dolores, Peggy, Marilyn, David, Carol, Tracy, Loretta; numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations in Linda’s honor may be directed to the National Brain

Tumor Society’s Defeat GBM Research Collaborative, via their website, www.braintumor.org.

SERVICES
Visitation

Sunday, October 08, 2017
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

All Faiths of the Pines
110 American Legion Rd.
Smithville, Texas 78957

Graveside Service

Monday, October 09, 2017

New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church
2215 E. 8th St.
Austin, Texas 78702