Martha Linda Pendarvis Binion passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas, on April 24, 2025, surrounded by the love of family and close friends. She was 88.

Linda was born at home on April 13, 1937, in Buchanan Dam, Texas. She moved with her family to Houston as a small girl, where her mom and dad owned a restaurant called the Wayside Cafe. After their father's passing when Linda was only 5 years old, she and her siblings were cared for by a beloved nanny, Dobbity Keel, while their mother ran the cafe. A smart, wide-eyed girl who was eager to learn, Linda skipped ahead a couple of grades in elementary school. She loved to try new things: Linda played the violin, she was a cheerleader, and was selected as Lt. Col. Battalion Commander of the R.O.T.C. She even participated in several episodes of a televised game show in the early days of KPRC. During her senior year, not only did Linda place second in a city-wide spelling bee, she was also voted "Most Beautiful" by her peers at Milby High School, where she graduated as Valedictorian in 1954.

Upon graduation, Linda earned tuition-free admittance to Rice University, but she couldn't afford transportation to the campus. Instead, she took a job downtown at Humble Oil, where she quickly became the assistant to the President. Realizing she wanted to continue her education, Linda continued to work during the day while she attended the University of Houston at night. It took several years, but she graduated summa cum laude as the Salutatorian of her college class in 1964, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in French, with a minor in Spanish.

It was at UH that she met the love of her life, Stanley Bond Binion. The tall, lanky golfer and the bright, hard-working brunette met on a blind date in September of 1957, and they married on July 12, 1958. Linda was extremely supportive of Stan's dreams, and continued to work at Humble while he attended law school at the University of Houston. Their early years were filled with friends, silly jokes in their small apartment, and big dreams.

Linda loved her family most of all, but it was a three-way tie for what she loved second to them: Learning, teaching, and anything related to France. Linda spent the summer of 1963 in France, fulfilling a dream of studying abroad. She often shared stories of her time there – the once-a-week showers in shared bathrooms, the weekend trips with her European friends, and meeting former French President Charles de Gaulle. She carried the memories of that summer with her for the rest of her life, returning to France with Stan many times throughout their marriage.

In 1965, Linda and Stan started their family in West University with the birth of Parker, followed a couple of years later with Elizabeth. Linda loved being involved with all of their activities, and became the ultimate Room Mom at Bunker Hill Elementary when the family moved to Bunker Hill Village in 1973, where she lived until her passing. Not only did Linda serve her family in the myriad ways of young mothers – cooking, cleaning, and chauffeuring – in her limited spare time she also served others by volunteering for many years as a Chapelwood Sunday School Counseling Teacher, at the Assistance League of Houston, and as a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group leader.

A lifelong learner, Linda returned to school after her children graduated high school, earning her certification as a teacher for English as a Second Language (ESL). This spurred many fulfilling years for her as she worked at various schools in SBISD, passionate about helping young students become fluent in English. She held a special place in her heart for her ESL students, and kept in touch with many of them through the years. Linda was selected as Teacher of the Year twice in her career.

Being a teacher was not only a source of pride and joy for her, but it was also in her DNA. As her family and many friends can attest, Linda never missed a chance to impart a nugget of wisdom when she had the opportunity.. Linda loved etymology – she could tell you the root of most any word – and she never met a pun she didn't like.

Daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, teacher, learner, servant, giver, Believer. These are all words that describe the gift of Martha Linda Pendarvis Binion, who used every bit of talent allotted to her. "'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" Matthew 25:21.

Linda is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Bond Binion; her parents, W.R. Pendarvis and Gladys Brown Pendarvis Johansen; and her brother, Ralph Cecil Pendarvis. She is survived by her beloved children, Parker Binion and Elizabeth Binion Elliott; faithful son-in-law Mike Elliott; cherished grandchildren Sarah Kathryn Elliott, Caroline Elliott, and William Elliott; sister Jacquelynn Pendarvis Earles, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on June 6, 2025 at Chapelwood Methodist Church in the Chapel, with Wick Stuckey officiating. Any contributions can be directed to The Chapelwood Foundation in memory of Linda Binion.