Linda Smathers Ryan

AIKEN, SC – LINDA SMATHERS RYAN, 63, died peacefully Sunday the 1st of December 2013 at Cumberland Hills after a year-long battle with cancer. A native of Spartanburg, SC, Linda was a daughter of the late Frank Edward and Ethel George Smathers. She worked in hotel management for the last 18 years in Newport Beach, CA before moving to Aiken in August. Survivors include a sister, Betty J. Williams and her husband Luke of Conyers, GA; a brother, Jimmy Smathers and his wife Janice of Warrenville, SC; two daughters, Heather Gapanovich, Decatur, GA and Patty Varrelmann, CA; four nieces, Cindy Burgess, Debbie Chambers, Ann Garrell and Beani Sparu; and her beloved South African Grey Parrott, Maya. Funeral services will be private. SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC