Linda Gayle Waldrep

Linda Gayle Ball Waldrep, 76, of Walnut Grove, MO, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, surrounded by her children. Gayle was born on July 1, 1949, in Sequim, Washington to Ward Pennington Ball, Jr. and Annalee Arlene Struble Hermann. She participated in pep club and was a part of the Honor’s Society in Sequim High School, where she graduated in 1967. She received a scholarship to go to Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri where she graduated two years later with an Associate degree. She later received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Southwest Missouri State University (SMS) in 1971. She was a student teacher at Greenwood Labs school her Senior year, where she met and later married Clyde Donald Budd, Jr. She became a homemaker and raised ten children with Don. Gayle centered her life in her church. In 2003, she met Paul Waldrep. They began dating and were married about a year later in November 2004. Gayle and Paul loved building their life together on the farm, and loved serving in church callings together, including an 18-month mission to Michigan. Paul cared for her devotedly after a series of strokes left her disabled in 2020. Gayle enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, singing, dancing, and serving others. Above all else, she loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Gayle is survived by her children: Shane Budd (Ashley), Uri Chamberlain (Tom), Rollie Budd (Deidra), Corey Budd, Annalee McLean (CJ), Ryan Budd (Heidi), Rebekah Kinnard (Adam), Lyndee Wiberg (Brock), and Joseph Budd (Makaela); by siblings Julie Jacobsen, R.T., and Gary; grandchildren Rebeckah, Brittany, Rachael, Lane, Sierra, Keaton, Kaden, William, Rose, Railyn, Ariya, Samuel, Brigham, Emery, Ephraim, Austin, Ashley, Jaden, Faith, Forrest, Jakayla, Madigan, McKenna, MaLeah, Alora, Carter, Caleb, Lillian, Rylie, Drew, Evie, Joseph, Daniel, Stella, Jacob, Adam, Isla, Delilah, James, Addison, Emma, Jacob, Michael, Lucas, & Callan. Gayle was preceded in death by her husband Paul, daughter Rachael, her parents, and sisters Kristy and Sandy. A funeral service will be held on February 28, 2026 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on 1575 E Mt Gilead Rd, Bolivar, MO 65613.

Linda Gayle Waldrep

July 1, 1949 - February 11, 2026