Linda Maxine (Phillips) Irwin Obituary

Linda Maxine (Phillips) Irwin, 81, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away September 26, 2026 in Ft Scott KS surrounded by her family.

Linda was born July 29, 1945, to Paul and Juanita (Carson) Phillips. She was the oldest of five children raised on the family farm in Devon, Kansas.

Her first marriage, to Vernon Nordyke, brought her two children, Kenny and Donna. She later married Keith Irwin of Hume, Missouri.

Linda worked as a cosmetologist and held management positions at Walmart and Montgomery Ward in Topeka. She loved NASCAR, fishing, and traveling with Keith. After retiring , she cherished settling in one place and spending more time with family.

Linda adored her nieces and nephews and held a special place in her heart for her great-nieces and great-nephews. But her four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved them fiercely and wouldn’t have thought twice about taking on anyone for them.

Linda wasn’t one for large gatherings, but she kept the phone lines busy with calls to her sisters, Ruby Keith, Paula, and Terrie Peacock, and her only brother, Kenneth Phillips. Between phone calls, texts, and Facebook, she kept up with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too—and kept everyone on their toes! She never let a day go by without checking in on her family.

Linda enjoyed trips to the salon and was rarely seen without her hair styled and no Avon representative was safe from her ordering habits. If her favorite Rare Diamonds fragrance didn’t announce her arrival, the sparkle of her rings that adorned her perfectly manicured, long fingernails surely would.

Linda was a friend to all who knew her and never spoke ill of anyone. Her kindness and the grace she extended to others will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Juanita Phillips.

In keeping with Linda’s wishes, no traditional funeral will be held. A celebration of life will take place Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Buck Run Community Center in Fort Scott. Family and friends are invited to come and go, share memories, and enjoy a casual meal together.