Linda Louise Knight, 73, passed away on August 14th, 2025.
Born Linda Louise Knight on January 13th, 1952, in Danville, IL. Linda Passed on August 14th, 2025 in her daughters’ home surrounded by family and loved ones.
Linda was born into the industrious “Belt” family of Steak ‘n Shake. In her early years Linda bonded closely with the family Matron Edith Belt, her grandmother who she affectionately called “Nonnie”. Mentored and privately educated by Edith, Linda went to Judson School in Scottsdale, Arizona from Kindergarten through graduation. While there, she was an outstanding member of the Judson Fencing Team. In addition to local competition, she also competed against college level fencers. During the summers, she was employed by her grandmother as a model and Good Will Ambassador for Steak ‘n Shake to promote the brand and assist in grand openings of new restaurants.
After her education, Linda dedicated herself to her children and family, at the same time becoming an innovative investor and entrepreneur; from stock market and real estate investments to a privately owned chain of Video-Drive-Up stores, she established herself as a Matron both of her own family and enterprises. Eventually settling on her ranch in Branson Missouri, Linda expanded her life talents again, becoming a “gentlewoman” farmer with her children, and where she met her dedicated life partner Sammy Groves. A pillar of the community, Linda dedicated herself to education, the arts, and church. Locally investing and enriching the community Linda opened several businesses for the arts including “The Paint Box Studio”, providing education and supplies for artists. Deeply spiritual Linda co-founded several churches and spiritual centers in the Branson/Hollister communities.
When her children graduated and began their own journeys, Linda looked for new horizons. She found them in her love of travel and talent for sculpting. Linda traveled the world experiencing cultures, studying art and making lifelong friends. Linda will be dearly missed by her family and her many friends and loved ones. A person like her is rarely seen today. Throughout her life, she carried herself with dignity, grace and culture and this was readily apparent to all who knew her. She was the epitome of what it means to be a “Lady.” During her later years Linda lived in Branson with “Her Sammy” and surrounded by her children and grandchildren who lovingly know her as “Nonnie”.
Linda was preceded in death by her brother Mark Howard and former husband David White. She is survived by her dear partner of many years, Sammy Groves, and her children: Katie and wife Emilie, David, and Gus as well as her grandchildren: David (Hasif), Kyleigh, Kiefer, Alexander, Aaliya, Abigail, Samuel, Augustus II, and Theodora. She will live long in the memories of all who loved her.
Private graveside services were held on August 20, 2025 , at Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery in Branson and a celebration of life gathering will take place at The Pour House in downtown Hollister on September 2nd, 2025, from 4pm to 8pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Scottsdale Artists’ School or Alzheimer's Association (alz.org).
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