Linda Irene Battista-Dray

Linda I. Battista-Dray, age 82, passed away on October 26, 2023.  She was born on July 16, 1941, in Canton to Clifford and Irene (Roth) Thomas.

She graduated from Lincoln High School. Linda received her BA in Education from Kent State University and her MA in education from the University of Miami in Florida. After student teaching at Canton McKinley, Linda taught English in Dade County, Miami, Florida, for over a decade. She was an avid reader and loved soap operas, especially General Hospital.  Linda was great at Scrabble; you were lucky if you could win a game against her. She loved the beach along with boating in her younger years.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Keith Dray; daughter, Lori Dray; son, Geoff (Millisa) Mize; brother, Cliff “Bub” Thomas; grandchildren, Hope (Harold) Cooley, Joy (Jon) Hickey and Austin Mize; five great-grandchildren; one niece and one nephew; two stepchildren, Jennifer (Tim) Sumser, Troy (Heather) Dray; 6 step-grandchildren; 1 step great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, former husband Ronald Battista, and a great-granddaughter, Deseree, and stepson Brian Dray.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date; please reference the online obituary for the future time and location. Arrangements are entrusted to Kreighbaum Sanders Funeral Home, 4041 Cleveland Ave S. Canton, OH 44707.