It is with deep and tender regret that the family of Linda K. Solomon Given of Vicksburg, MS announce her passing at the age of 80 on May 4, 2024.

Linda was born January 27, 1944, the eldest child of James Edward Solomon Jr. and Katherine Foley Solomon. She had a varied and joy-filled life, spending two years in the Convent as a novitiate, followed by a term as a nurse's aide at Mercy Hospital, many years as a bank employee, a stint as manager at an oil company, and working in the store and as a hostess at Cracker Barrel. She entered the Franciscan Order as a tertiary and was given the name of Sister Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, which was one of the crowning achievements of her life.

Linda never lost her sense of childlike joy and wonder at the world. That joyful and positive quality emanated from her and was only rivaled by her deep devotion to Jesus and his Holy Family. In fact, if you met Linda at all, you walked away from the encounter with an image of her as an optimistic and fervent lover of God.

Her constant care was for her family and her wide circle of acquaintances and friends. She was never too busy to listen to our concerns, to offer advice, and to pray mightily for all of us. She often called her siblings and extended family to hear their joys and woes. Her prayers were more effective than any others we know because of her simple and total faith. We all immediately felt at least a shade better when "Linda B." was praying for us.

She is preceded in death by her parents James Edward Solomon Jr. and Katherine Foley Solomon, by her nephew James Ross and her niece Doris Jeannine Ross, and by her sister-in-law Marjorie Solomon.

She leaves behind her younger siblings Lee Evans of Vicksburg, Patty Canizaro of Kansas City, MO, Kathy Gibson of Lafayette, LA, James Edward "Eddie" Solomon III of Belleville, IL, Carmen Henke of Roxana IL, Susie Ross of Vicksburg, and John G. Solomon of Liberty, MS and Asheville, NC.

Linda had no biological children, but she treasured each of her nieces and nephews as though they were hers. Left to negotiate a world without their unfailing cheerleader are Diana Wickham (Jeremy) of Starkville, MS, Heather Murphy of Springfield, IL, Becca Suell (Tommy) of Vicksburg, Melanie Denton (Terry) of Belleville, IL, Kate Hanes (Bill) of Vicksburg, Angie VanDee (Steve) and Kim Kimmons (Nathan) of Kansas City MO, Lee Casey (Ashley) of Liberty, MS, Linda Englade of Vicksburg, Jason Solomon of Flamingo, FL, Melanie Casey of Asheville, NC, and John Paul Gibson of Lancaster, CA.

Additionally, all extended family, great nieces and nephews, and adopted family will surely feel her loss, even as we celebrate her entry into a better world. We are sure that she wishes us, as she often told us in life, "the peace that passeth understanding."

A traditional latin mass  will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, May 8 at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home,  5000 Indiana Ave,  Vicksburg, MS 39180. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.