Linda Susan Duncan-Mercer

Linda Susan Duncan-Mercer, born Linda Susan Sasser in Tampa, FL on March 7, 1950 to Gaither E. and Juila E. Sasser unexpectedly passed on to her Lord and Savior at her Callaway home on Saturday, May 5th. Linda was a longtime teacher for the Bay County Schools, having taught for thirty-four years at both Oscar Patterson and Everitt Middle schools. Linda was preceded in passing by her father, Gaither "Gator" Sasser. Linda leaves behind her husband of twenty-two years, George Alan Mercer, her son Kevin Heath Duncan and fiancée S. Michelle Hipkins of Cedar Grove, mother Julia E. "Betty" Sasser of Springfield, sister Debra Ann Sasser of Parker, Uncle Aubrey Lee Sasser of Columbus, GA, Uncle David (Joyce) A. Matthews of Hollywood, FL, Uncle James McKenzie of Tallahassee, FL, Aunt Dorothy (Mel) Case of Dade City, FL, brother-in-law John David Mercer (Pam) of Lynn Haven, FL, and many close cousins, nieces, and nephews. Linda graduated Rutherford High School in 1968, received an Associates of Arts degree from Gulf Coast Community College in 1970, and earned her Bachelor's Degree in elementary education from Florida State University in 1973, having attained honors on both the Dean's List and President's List. Linda was awarded the honor of Teacher of the Year for Everitt Middle School in 2005 and was an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority. Linda was of the Baptist faith and accepted Christ as her personal Savior at a young age and used her Christian beliefs and upbringing as a beacon for her life's work of molding children to be tomorrow's hope. Linda always strived to motivate her students to meet their greatest potential. Linda loved her profession and loved those she taught as though they were her own. Linda was admired and loved by her fellow educators and loved by her many students that she have the privilege to teach. Linda attracted all those who she met and brought joy by her enthusiasm. She was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her family, friends, fellow faculty, and students beyond expression. Linda had a great love of reading, travel, music, the arts, and was a great advocate of preserving the world environment. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Craig Walker officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bay Education Foundation's Take Stock in Children fund for which Linda was so passionate about. The donations may be made direct to Bay County Education Foundation, Attn: Ms. Karen Tucker, 1311 Balboa Ave, Panama City, FL 32401. In the memo portion of the check, please add "TSIC-Linda Mercer". Asked to be honorary pallbearers are the faculty and students of Everitt Middle School and the members of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority.

Wilson Funeral Home