Linda Lowe Birdsell passed away March 8, 2023. She leaves behind her husband Ted Birdsell and her three children, Todd Birdsell, Todd’s partner Ann MacMillan of Jacksonville, Illinois, son Scott Birdsell of Sydney Australia, and her daughter Lisa Birdsell Millslagle of Acworth Georgia and her husband Erik Millslagle and their son Victor Millslagle. Linda was born in Peoria Illinois on October 24, 1939.
As a youth She lived in Peoria and Danville Illinois with her parents Edgar and Helen (Lynn) Lowe. They moved to Jacksonville, Illinois when she became school age and attended South Jacksonville Elementary and went to Jacksonville High School. After High School she attended MacMurray College for Women. Linda graduated with a degree in art and eduction in May 1962. She met her husband in grade school, but they didn’t start dating until she was in college. They married June 16, 1963 and were married in Annie Merner Chapel at MacMurray College.
Linda and Ted Lived together in Jacksonville, Illinois for the next 52 years. After college graduation she taught second and third grade at Alexander Elementary School in Alexander, Illinois and for many years at Jefferson Elementary School in Jacksonville Illinois as a Special Ed Teacher. Linda retired from teaching in 2013. Ted and Linda owned their own building business, Birdsell Builder’s, in Jacksonville for 38 years.
After Ted retired in 2015, Linda and Ted moved to Georgia that November, to be near their daughter Lisa’s family, where they live next door to each other. Those of you who knew her, knew she was very involved in her children’s lives with sporting events and scouting, and loved, gardening, cooking, and art. She also cherished her church families and communities at Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville Illinois and at County Line United Methodist Church in Acworth Georgia.
The Celebration Of Life will be held at County Line Methodist Church, 1183 County Line Rd NW, Acworth GA 30101, on Saturday March 11. Visitation will be from 11-12, with the service starting at 12. Following the service will be burial onsite, followed by a luncheon in the fellowship hall. The church phone number is 770-428-0511. The website for the church is www.countylineUMC.org Please send donations to County Line United Methodist Church or Shriners Hospital.
