Linda Penton Hansen , 80, recently of Chattanooga, TN, and previously of West Columbia, SC, traded earth for heaven on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Born in Gatesville, TX, she was the first child of the late Marshall and Elizabeth Thomas Penton. After her father's honorable discharge from the army at the end of World War II, Linda grew up in Chattanooga, TN and Atlanta, GA. She met Paul A. Hansen in 1964, married him in 1966, and moved with him to Alaska. In 1969 the couple moved with their first child to Columbia, SC, where 8 more children were born. She worked as a mother, homemaker, cook, seamstress, chauffeur, teacher, and corrections officer. She attended Eau Claire Presbyterian Church and then First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. In later years she volunteered in the nursery at church, in the bookstore/library at church, made bread for college student luncheons and knitted non-scratch caps and scarves for cancer patients. She also knitted blankets, hats and booties for babies, many of which were donated to Moment of Hope. She found great joy in serving others in any way she could. Survivors include children, Wayne (Lisa) Hansen of Charlotte, NC; Thorvy (Stacey) Hansen of Reynolds, GA and their children: Morgan, Kaytlin (Hallie), Christopher (Ahliya) and Claire (Kevin and children Phoebe and Axel); Tanya (John) Thomas of Dacula, GA and their children: Ethan, Annalisa (Christian), Alisha and Carissa; Andrew (Jessica) Hansen of Chattanooga, TN and their children: Anemone, Isaiah (Caroline and son Michael), Joy, Robin, Josiah and Moriah; Laura (Philip) Kuo and their children: Pepper, Ezra, Annabel and Kaylee, all of Nashville, TN; Susan (Nathaniel) Inman and children: Jack, Kate, Lara May and Daisy all of Brandon, MS; Samuel (Lisa) Hansen and their children: Grace and Gunner all of Maysville, GA; Anoma (Stuart) Conger and their children Barrett, Owen and Ella all of Sandpoint, ID; and Vicki Hansen of Columbia, SC. She is also survived by her sister Barbara (Al) Cocchi of Beaufort, SC; Mysy Bruno of Basking Ridge, NJ; Glen (Elaine) Penton of Norcross, GA; Allen (Nancy) Penton of Titusville, FL. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in earthly death by her husband Paul, brother-in-law Richard Bruno, and a few children that did not make it full term. In case you lost count, it's 9 children, 27 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She did get to hold the youngest great-grandchild a couple of weeks ago. Psalm 127:3-4 - Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. The family would like to thank the staff at Guiding Grace PCH for their wonderful care during the last 9 days of her earthly life, and the staff at Morning Pointe of Happy Valley, GA for their care the 18 months prior to that. The funeral service will be held 11 am, Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Chattanooga Valley Presbyterian Church, 3371 Chattanooga Valley Rd, Flintstone, GA 30725, with Rev. Roger Collins officiating. The family will receive friends at 10 am preceding the service. Interment will be at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery located at 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC at 2pm Monday, August 25, 2025, with Dr. David Lauten presiding. In lieu of flowers, build or pack a shoebox or two this Christmas at www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online . Or send to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Or a donation to A Moment of Hope at amoh.org .