Linda (Abigail) Sue Smith Ridenhour

Linda Abigail Sue (Smith) Ridenhour, age 76, of Eldon and formerly of Blue Springs, passed away Friday, April 24, 2026.

Linda was born on August 23, 1949, in Kansas City, a daughter to the late Arthur Edwin and Helen Mae (Oliver) Smith.

She was a 1968 graduate of Blue Springs High School and played the clarinet in band. Following high school, she received her bachelor’s degree in science from Webster College as well as a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Missouri Kansas City. Linda studied gerontology at the graduate level, taught dentistry at Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, and was the Co-Ordinator of the Research Center in Dentistry at UMKC. She retired from the University of Missouri Kansas City after years as heading the dental research center and retired from Concorde Career College as the director of the dental assisting program.

On December 27, 1969, she was united in marriage to Lynn Edwin Ridenhour at the First Baptist Church in Belle. Lynn preceded her in death on September 30, 2025.

Linda grew up on Lake Tapawingo near Kansas City and loved water skiing. She was a hard-working wife and mother who strived to make good grades as a student and enjoyed learning. She was fiercely loved by her grandparents, and family was very important to her. Linda loved cats, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed dressing nicely and looking proper. Together with Lynn, they moved from Kansas City to Eldon in 2020 to be closer to their daughter Lori and her family. Lori and Linda were best friends as well as mother and daughter and she will be missed greatly by her and her family as well as anyone who knew and loved her.

Linda is survived by: one daughter, Lori Rice and her husband Jeff of Rocky Mount; three sisters-in-law, Joan Abel of Belle, Sherry Campbell of Union, and Cynthia Rutz and her husband Norris of Ashland; and her fur grandbabies, Barkley, Majerle, and Miller as well as many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Edwin and Helen Mae Smith, two aunts, Dorothy “DoDo” and Ginny, and two brothers-in-law Bill “Pedro” Campbell and Glennon Abel.

Graveside services for Linda will be on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Pilot Knob Church Cemetery beginning at 12:00 pm. with Noble Hower officiating.

Linda loved flowers so the family asks that instead of donations, that flowers be sent for the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sassmann’s Chapel, Belle, Mo. (573-859-3712).

www.sassmannschapel.com