Linda Heath Everman

Linda Heath Everman, 81, wife of Dr. Hank Everman, died on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at Baptist Health – Richmond.

Born on March 17, 1941 in Corbin, Kentucky, she was the daughter of F.D. “Jack” Heath and Willie Thomas Heath. Raised in Corbin, she attended East Ward Elementary and graduated from Corbin High School in 1959. She earned a B.A. from Transylvania, and an M.A. in voice performance at EKU. She taught in Louisville until she married in January 1971.

Linda began her long musical career as a soloist and oratorio chorus member at Baptist Seminary, the Louisville Bach Society, the Motet Singers, and the Kentucky Opera Association. She studied voice with some renowned teachers including Phyliss Jeness (UK) and Joan Bonneman Boewe (EKU). She performed as a soloist in the Lexington Singers, symphonic concerts at UK (the lead in Dido and Aeneas), and in UK and EKU Concerto Concerts.

Although she taught voice privately and as an adjunct in the EKU music department, her emphasis turned to choral directing and she led church choirs in Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington, and Richmond. In 1981 she was instrumental in the organization of the old Richmond Choral Society and served as its director for the next eleven years. As an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing she adjudicated the voice competitions in the region with five of her students winning awards from NATS. Often she participated in music workshops for choral and church music. Declining health resulted in her retirement although she enjoyed singing in church choirs until the pandemic. She often said: “life without music would be unbearable.” As a religious person she contended that music was a direct communication with God.

She was a devoted wife, an avid reader with membership in book clubs and religious study groups, a dog lover, an eager traveler, and a hostess known for her desserts and table decorations. She developed skills in several arts including stained glass, landscape painting, floral arranging, and photography.

Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at First Christian Church in Richmond, Kentucky. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Glenn Birkett, the Reverend Patrick Messer, and Dr. Robert Vickers officiating. A graveside service will be held at Rest Haven Cemetery in Corbin, Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 4,2023.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to: First Christian Church, Debt Reduction Fund, P.O. Box 216, Richmond, KY 40476.

Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home assisting with interment.