Linda Lee Back

Linda Lee Back (Carpenter) was born on November 1, 1937, and passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 87 at Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties. She was born in Defiance, Ohio to Floyd and Gertrude (Reineke) Carpenter, and grew up in Toledo, Ohio.

Linda is survived by her son, Steve (Lisa) Wilson of Middletown; son, Scott (Dee) Wilson of Las Vegas, NV; son, Lee (Brandie) Back of Somerville, OH; two step-sons Dennis Roger Back of Mason, OH and Russell (Terri) Back of Loudon, TN; grandson, Dr William "Bill" (Jessi) Wilson of Honolulu, HI; grandson, William Wilson of Las Vegas, NV; grandson, Andrew Back of Columbus, OH; grandson, Matthew Back of Somerville, OH; granddaughter, Grace Back of Somerville, OH; niece, Linda Gralak (Jeff) of Temperance, MI; nephew, Mike George of Sarasota, FL; nephew, Tom George of Salem, NH.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis Back; sister, Patricia George; nephew, William Davis.

At Linda's request, there will not be a memorial service. We are sharing some of our memories here. Please sign the guestbook at WilsonSchrammSpaulding.com and leave your own memories of Linda.

How do you capture in words the impact of 87 years on this earth? You don’t.

The only way to describe our mother is this: She was the best mother and grandmother that ever lived. Period.

What she leaves behind is a legacy of kindness, love, strength, and devotion to her family.

Linda lived a life defined by optimism and kindness. She was complex and beautiful: a mother, grandmother, artist, singer, seamstress, cook, college graduate, and determined trailblazer. She had a song for every mood, especially her beloved musicals. A few of her favorites were South Pacific, West Side Story, Annie, The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music. But the song she sang most often was High Hopes by Doris Day. When she was feeling low—or wanted to lift someone else—she’d sing it with a smile.

And our mother had high hopes of her own.

She married young and started a family, putting her own education on hold. She later earned her GED through correspondence courses. In the 1960s, she inquired about taking college classes, only to be told by an admissions officer that “women belong at home.” It was a discouraging moment—but it didn’t stop her.

In the early 1980s, Linda enrolled in accounting classes at Miami University Middletown. She graduated at the top of her class with an associate's degree in accounting—a triumph that captured her resilience and drive.

She began her career at Metropolitan Life Insurance in Dayton, working in the marketing department on newsletters and company events. She bought a 35mm camera, documented events, and even photographed President Gerald Ford during a visit.

Later, Linda worked for Middfest International, where she planned cultural festivals, edited publications, and helped coordinate visiting dignitaries and entertainers from around the world. She loved the work and poured her heart into every detail.

As a teenager, she won first place in a Singer Sewing Corporation competition, showing early signs of her creativity and skill. She was also an accomplished roller figure skater, competing across Ohio before eventually settling in Middletown, where she met her first husband, William Wilson (deceased).

Linda was endlessly hands-on. With her husband Dennis, she built three room additions—digging the foundation by hand and laying block herself. Together, they also constructed a charming backyard workshop. Her gardens were lush with vegetables and flowers, transforming her yard into a peaceful retreat.

She was also a gifted cook. Linda could whip something up out of nothing and was known for her potato salad, salmon patties, and creamed peas. She created imaginative treats for her grandchildren—like “butter birds” made from discarded sandwich crusts and tray after tray of cinnamon toast. One of her favorites was a peanut butter, Miracle Whip, and head lettuce sandwich—and she insisted it was delicious.

She gave everything she had to those around her: raising her boys, caring for neighborhood kids, babysitting her grandchildren, and eventually becoming a full-time caregiver to her mother, Gertrude, during her battle with Alzheimer’s.

Linda was the kind of mother who would put your jeans in the dryer on a cold morning so they’d be warm when you put them on and crack open the oven door to warm the kitchen while you ate breakfast. She proudly kept everything us kids ever made in school—We still have our macaroni art project from kindergarten.

Linda's philosophy for living in the world is encapsulated in her belief that she was "called to be kind." In this regard, she succeeded beyond measure. That is very hard to live up to, but we are going to try.

And if you ever find yourself feeling low, just remember—she’s got high hopes.

High Hopes (excerpt)

Next time you're found with your chin on the ground

There's a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant

Think he'll move that rubber tree plant?

Anyone knows an ant can't

Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes

He's got high hopes

He's got high apple pie

In the sky hopes

So anytime you're feelin' low, 'stead of lettin' go

Just remember that ant

Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant