December 4, 1956 - April 19, 2025
I want to tell you about my wife, Linda Lariscy. I am her husband of almost 47 years, Horace Lariscy, but she mostly called me Race. Linda was born December 4, 1956, in Savannah, Georgia; the daughter of Robert and Lena Barefield Crabtree. The family later relocated to Rincon in Effingham County, Georgia.
Linda graduated from high school and college with the highest of honors with education coming from Georgia public schools, Georgia Southern University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest), Liberty University, and Andersonville Theological Seminary. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Education, and a Doctorate in Theology.
I have often said that my home was wherever my wife and daughter resided. Linda, Hope, and I made homes in my hometown of Sylvania, Georgia, Oxford, North Carolina, Morfelden-Walldorf, Germany, and Wrens, Georgia. Vocationally, Linda has worked as a high school, college, and university instructor, educational psychologist, and counselor with the American Red Cross. However, when asked her vocation, we would simply reply, “Minister.”
For thirty years, Linda worked in partnership with me in the four churches we served. In 2007, she birthed Holding Forth the Word of Life Ministry, which has become a worldwide media ministry distributing her bible studies, teachings, books, and sermons assisted by a congregation that she has discipled, nurtured, mentored, and loved. Ministry opportunities have taken her all over the United States, Europe, and Africa where she has been instrumental in church and school planting.
Cancer and a stroke stopped Linda’s body on April 19, 2025, but the essence of who she is, her soul and spirit, live on and continue the ministry of intercession before the throne of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
God graced me with a wonderful wife whom I will always love.
I want to tell you about my mama. I am her daughter of almost 33 years, Hope Lariscy, but she mostly called me Hopey. Mama is the smartest person I know. Besides Jesus, she is also the most compassionate person I know, and that speaks to her character.
Mama loved with a deep love that overrode how we know to love on this earth; that love could only come from the Jesus who lived inside of her. A day never went by when I doubted her love for me. Even the days when I was disciplined for one reason or another, I knew that it came from love because this is what my parents instilled in me since the day I was born.
Holding Forth the Word of Life Ministry is the manifestation of a Word the Holy Spirit gave Mama when she was in her twenties, that she would preach His Word all over the world, and that she did. To say this was miraculous when we live in small Wrens, GA is an understatement. Even though Mom’s departure from this earth is not what I ever would’ve wanted, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God is still in the miracle working business.
If you will notice, I used the past and present tense. This is because, like Daddy said, Mama is still alive. She is simply in another realm. She is worshipping Jesus in a way that we can’t even fathom right now. A day will not go by when I don’t miss my Mama, but I am so thankful that she is free of suffering in body and soul and that she, with Jesus, is interceding for me.
I love you, Mama.
Linda is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Robert Lee Crabtree and Lena Barefield Crabtree, and her nephew, Cale Bragg.
Linda is survived by her husband, Horace (Race) Lariscy, her daughter, Hope Lariscy, her brother Kenneth (Sandra) Crabtree, her sister-in-law Linda (Lavaughn) Bragg. Her nephews and nieces, David (Katherine) Crabtree, John (Rachel) Crabtree, Luke Crabtree, Joel Crabtree, Kaycee (Dan) Orchik, Ozzy Orchik, McKenzie (Jordan) Hall, Caleb Hall, and Amelia Hall.
We would like to extend special appreciation to the staff of Affinis Hospice and Ed Thompson and the staff of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her beloved ministry, Holding Forth the Word of Life, 112 Broad Street, Wrens, GA 30833.
You may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner Anderson Funeral Home Screven Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda, please visit our floral store.
