Linda (Mcnichols) Fast

On Wednesday Evening, September 20, 2023 Linda Lou (McNichols) Fast began her work tending Jesus’ garden in paradise.  A woman who could grow nearly every fruit and vegetable, her faith was bigger than her garden.  Her life was beautifully ordinary and yet her death was extraordinarily holy.

If Linda wasn’t planting flowers or canning green beans she was ministering to people.  She baked pies and food for those who were sick and grieving, she kept a list for those in need of prayer.  She never traveled anywhere without her Bible and once she discovered Facebook, I am convinced that she was the biggest encourager on the social platform.  Small but mighty this woman of God left a mark on everyone she met.

She celebrated over 50 years of marriage with the love of her life, Paul “Rick” Richard Fast.  They were partnered in all things: the farm, ministry, raising a family and nearly picked the same dinner at every restaurant.

Linda loved her children and poured her life in her kids: Jason (Jennifer) Fast, Rachel (Jonathan) Billups, Julie (Nicholas) Ebert.  Momma always taught us to be kind, to help those in need, and to have faith.

But perhaps Grandma was her favorite title.  She always encouraged Dallas Montgomery, Victoria Fast, Logan Fast, Adeline Billups, Christopher Billups, David Billups, Sarah Billups, Nolan Ebert, and Jonah Ebert.   Although they weren’t always excited to help grandma pull weeds, they sure did enjoy helping her bake pies.

Family was her life blood. Her own mother, Marcella Marie Goodman, fanned the flame of faith in Linda from an early age.  Born on December 15, 1951, Linda was the eldest of Marcella’s children and she was loved by her siblings: Gary (Pam) McNichols, Sandra Daubenmire, David (Sue) McNichols, Pattie Elward, Laura VanCuren, and brother-in-law, Larry Fast. Linda and Rick were particularly supported and love by Charles and Sharon Fast.  And she adored and encouraged her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her father Edgel McNichols, step-father, Charles, “Bud” Goodman, step-mother, Gerri McNichols, father and mother-in-law, Paul and Ruby Fast and brother-in-law, Michael, “Mick” Fast.

A Celebration of Life will be held at South Perry United Methodist Church, 19680 Ohio 180, Laurelville, Ohio on Tuesday September 26 at 11am. Visitation at Wellman Funeral home State Route 56 E, Laurelville Ohio, 4pm-8pm on Monday, September 25th.  Burial at Bethel Cemetery with Funeral Meal following at The Laurel Township Recreation Center.

Contributions in honor of Linda can made to South Perry United Methodist Church, The James Cancer Research Hospital, and/or ProMedica Hospice.

Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.