Linda Jean Preece, née Lege, was born on October 30, 1946 at Santa Rosa Hospital (San Antonio, Texas) and baptized at Faith-Asbury Methodist Church (El Paso, Texas). Her family moved frequently during her childhood, including stops in Abilene, Wadsworth, Bay City, and notably, Austin, where she began singing in the choir along with her four siblings at Trinity Methodist Church and University Methodist Church. Linda attended Lamar Junior High and McCallum High School, graduating in 1965. She met Robert C. Preece at a Citywide Choral Festival, and they began dating in high school.
Linda went on to study voice with Martha Dethridge at the University of Texas, graduating with her music degree in 1969. She and Robert were married on June 7, 1969, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri for his seminary training. Linda earned her master’s degree in vocal performance at Washington University, studying with the noted Hungarian opera singer Leslie Chabay. She quickly established herself as an in-demand lyric soprano, performing as Co-Principal of the American Kantorei and in engagements with the St. Louis Opera Chorus, St. Louis Symphony Chorus, and in frequent appearances as a soloist at Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) and various synagogues in the St. Louis area. Linda also taught voice at Webster College and St. Louis University, conducted the adult and children’s choirs at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Waterloo, Illinois), and sang the National Anthem at Cardinals baseball games — and the Monroe (Illinois) County Fair, just prior to the annual demolition derby — on many occasions.
While raising her two sons and balancing life as the spouse of a Lutheran pastor with her own career, Linda worked for many years as Art and Music Editor at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis; she was involved in the production of various illustrated books and sacred music publications, including the 1982 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Hymnal (Lutheran Worship).
Later in life, following a move to Dallas, Texas, Linda worked in both the Office of the Chaplain and the Office of the Provost at Southern Methodist University. Linda earned a second master’s degree in choral conducting at the SMU Meadows School of the Arts. She continued to sing professionally in Dallas at Temple Emanu-El and other churches, sang in the choir at Zion Lutheran Church, formed and conducted a Women’s Choir, also at Zion. She retired after a few more years of working in the SMU Development Office raising scholarship funds for international students (i.e. from India, Peru, Mexico) and the wider University.
Linda loved to travel, particularly in pursuit of family history, which led to adventures in Canada, England, Scotland, and Wales. She took particular delight in unearthing the history of her Scottish-Canadian botanist forebear, John Goldie. She also relished the hunt for a good piece of antique furniture, and liked hiking in Palo Duro Canyon, Big Bend, and the Franklin Mountains of her childhood in El Paso. She particularly enjoyed spending time in San Antonio, where her father’s family had deep roots.
Linda was 79 years, 10 months, and 20 days when the Lord called her from the Ecclesiam militantem ad Ecclesiam triumphantem, from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Robert C. Preece, her sons Justin, married to Cynthia, and Matthew, married to Jenny, her three grandsons: Owen, Andrew, Luke, and her brothers Frank and Fred. She is preceded in death by her parents Jean Readey Lege and Frank Lege, and her sisters Jacqueline Lege Bewley and Diane Lege Baylor.
She is remembered with deep love, affection, and respect as a spouse, mother, grandmother, sibling, and musician: A bright, kind woman with a beautiful voice who shared her many God-given gifts with the world.
“Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam,
propter misericordiam tuam et veritatem tuam.”
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory,
for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.”
Psalm 115:1
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church and School, 6121 East Lovers Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214.
BURIAL RITE FOR LINDA JEAN LEGE PREECE
10:00 a.m., Monday, November 2, Anno Domini 2026
Austin Memorial Park Cemetery
(Hancock Cemetery)
Travis County
2800 Hancock Drive, Austin Texas 78731