If the measure of a persons life is how much she gave, Linda Norine Patterson Wilcoxs life was very successful. She was cherished by her parents and siblings, adored by her husband, loved by her children and grandchildren, held in high regard by colleagues, appreciated by hundreds of former students, and admired by her friends. After a long battle with metastatic breast cancer, Linda peacefully passed Monday, April 27, 2020. She was born September 10, 1950 to Akie and Janice Patterson in Asbury, West Virginia. Her family also lived in Charleston, WVA during her childhood. Her siblings and parents were faithful members of Elk River Church of the Nazarene and Alderson Church of the Nazarene. Her parents emphasized the importance of education, honesty and integrity. Linda earned a bachelors of science in education at Trevecca Nazarene University in 1973. She earned a masters of science in counseling in 1977 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She met the love of her life, Jim - James G. Wilcox, on the grounds of Nazarene International Headquarters while they were in graduate school. They married in 1977 and were happily married for 38 years when Jim died in 2016. In 1979, Linda and Jim moved to work at Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, Okla. Linda directed SNUs Career Planning and Placement Center. Their children, Benjamin and Joshua, were born in the early 1980s and by 1986, Linda was taking classes at the University of Oklahoma for a doctor of philosophy. During the same years, Linda and Jim were the college pastors at Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene and Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene. The students they loved and mentored in the groups became friends. Upon completion of her Ph.D. in social stratification in 1991, she taught part-time at OU for three years, and in 1993, she started a second SNU career as a sociology professor at SNU. She served as sociology department chair, and later, chair of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences. In classes in race and ethnicity, social stratification, gender and family, Linda challenged students to broaden their horizons, to travel and develop a worldview. She enjoyed traveling with student groups and emphasized research methods and graduate school preparation. Linda was loved by her students and was a mentor to many. Young people knew Dr. Wilcox was a good listener and counselor. For students who struggled with identity and personal issues, Linda was a safe confidant. She was honored to receive the Excellence in Teaching award, as voted by the student body. The Wilcoxes spent a sabbatical semester traveling in Europe while she gathered information to write, "No More Front Porches: Rebuilding Community in Our Isolated World," published in 2002. She was a lifelong reader and loved coffee shops and bookstores. Jim and Linda adored each other, and their happy times included laughter, work, reading, travel, and serving as hosts for friends or family dinners and student gatherings. Her happiest times were spent with family, and she looked forward to every visit with her grandchildren. The older grandchildren traveled with Linda and they created wonderful memories during their adventures. For many years she served on the board of directors for ROC-Reaching Our City, a compassionate ministry and served as deacon at Mayflower Congregational Church, and volunteered with 363, Mayflower Churchs homeless ministry. Linda is survived by her children: Benjamin and Jennifer Wilcox and their children, Ethan, Ivy and Evan Wilcox, Addison, Carter and Kellen Tabor, Oklahoma City; and Josh and Trisha Wilcox, and their children, Rowan, and a baby on the way, Portland, Oregon; Lindas siblings, Brenda and Gary Godbey, Mount Hope, West Virginia, Roger and Becky Patterson, Lewisburg, West Virginia, Butch and Vicky Whitt, Bloomfield, Ohio; Jims Dad, Galen Wilcox; Jims twin, John and Debi Wilcox, Santa Cruz, Calif.; sister, Judy and Roger Freels, Denver, Colo.; and nieces, nephews and other family. Her husband, her parents and brothers, Calvin Patterson and Russell Whitt, preceded her in death. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no public service for Linda. Memorials in Lindas name can be made to 363 at Mayflower Church, 3901 NW 63rd St. Okla. City, OK 73116 or to ROC, Reaching Our City, 7710 NW 10th St. Okla. City, OK 73127. You can leave a memory or note of sympathy to her family through Mercer-Adams Funeral Service. "Do me a favorvote, give money to someone begging on the street, go out of your way to help someone, and laugh, laugh, laugh." Linda Wilcox Private Services