inda Stilwell Conrad, 68, of Hayesville, passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in a Gainesville, Ga. hospital. She was a native and lifetime resident of Clay County and raised on the family farm in Tusquittee. Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in business law from Western Carolina University and worked a variety of jobs in industrial, retail and professional settings before taking a job at the North Carolina Employment Security Commission. There she met her future husband, Jim. Linda then worked for the Clay County Soil and Water Department working on planning and grant proposals for farm rehabilitation helping many local farmers. Her last career was with the State Employees Credit Union working in a variety of positions. Throughout her career she found joy serving and helping the people of the community. Linda enjoyed being out in nature; farming, gardening or simply taking a walk in the woods. She was of the Christian faith and enjoyed attending Sunday services online.
She was the daughter of the late William Ray and Mattie Ledford Stilwell and wife of the late James “Jim” Conrad who died Sept. 4, 2018. She was also preceded in death by a nephew, Stacy Stilwell.
Surviving is a daughter, Rebecca Ledford, of Asheville, N.C.; one brother, Stanley Stilwell and wife, Sharon, of Hayesville; one sister, Patricia Schrock, of Gainesville, Ga.; one niece, Priscilla Kendall and husband, Gary; one nephew, Gregory Wood and wife, Nissa; one great-nephew, Joshua Stilwell; also surviving are many beloved cousins and extended family.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with the Rev. Charles Shelton officiating. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert, William, Rick, Derrick, Anthony and Doug Stilwell.