Linda Louise Hayes Sensing

Linda Louise Hayes Sensing, born December 18, 1940, lived a long and fulfilling life. She loved her family and was proud of them in a way that was easy to see.

Linda was a caretaker and a “ride-or-die” matriarch for her family. She took care of the people she loved, stood by them, and was always in their corner. And if someone in the family went through a breakup, there was no question whose side Granny was on. The ex would eventually get “old-school cropped” out of the pictures. Pictures were some of Granny’s favorites. She loved looking at her picture albums and all the memories they held. She also made some of the best food you ever ate – especially when it came from her garden. Her family knew that if you were at Granny’s house, you were going to be fed—and fed well.

She spent much of her working life caring for others at NHC, something that came naturally to her.

Linda was also a lady of faith. She loved the Lord and always, always encouraged others to go to church. You never left Granny’s house without her telling you that she loved you and that she was praying for you.

She loved her plants and flowers and could grow just about anything. She couldn’t seem to kill a plant if she tried. There were times when her house looked like a jungle, with plants lining the walls and filling every space they could find. She loved taking care of them and watching them grow.

And then there was her laugh. Granny had the best laugh—a cackle, really. When something really got her, her whole face would light up, and before you knew it, she would be slapping your arm while she laughed. It was one of those things about her that you could never forget.

Linda’s life was made up of simple things that meant so much—taking care of the people she loved, tending to her plants, making sure everyone was fed, encouraging others in their faith, and a laugh that was priceless. She had a way of making people feel cared for, and that is how she will be remembered.

Linda is survived by her children, Randy Sensing (Brenda), Garry Sensing, Steve Sensing (Cindy), and Jennifer Poole (Chuck); her grandchildren, Sheryl Thiel (Houston), Jeremy Sensing, Ryan Sensing (Heidi), Autumn Rayburn, Jake Sensing (April), Austin Poole (Paige), and Caden Poole; and her great-grandchildren, Lillie, Hattie, Scarlett, Oliver, Drake, Duke, Jensen, Wren, Avery, Braxton, and Elias. She is also survived by her brother, William Hayes (Sue), and her sisters, Christine Hooper and Wilma Foster (Billy).

Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, James Curtis “Curt” Sensing; her parents, Thomas and Mae Hayes; her birth mother, Della Hayes, who passed away when Linda was very young; her daughter-in-law, Lisa Sensing; and her siblings, Robert Sensing, Dolly Story, Ruby Anderson, and Howard Sensing.

A graveside service for Linda will be held on Saturday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Charlotte, Tennessee.

“A life that touches others goes on forever.”
— Author Unknown