Linda Riddle Rankin

1st Grade - Jack and Jill Private School
2nd-6th - Valley View Elementary
7th-9th - Franklin Jr. High
10th-12th - AHS
University of North Texas
Texas Tech University
McMurry University
(Plus a couple of classes at ACU and Hardin Simmons)
Professional Court Reporting Institute (Richardson TX)

After leaving AHS I married Seaton Higginbotham and was married for 13 years. We went to Lubbock where I almost finished my Biology degree at Texas Tech before having to move back to Abilene where I finally graduated from McMurry with a BS degree in Biology.

I moved to Dallas in 1986 and became a court reporter and worked in the Legal arena for 26 years, the final 8 years being at Weil, Gotshal & Manges in Dallas, an international law firm.

Following the "Big" layoff, I turned full time to volunteer work, joining the board of the Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation for five years, presiding over the board for the last two. Consequently, I ran and was elected to the City Council for three terms, two of which I was mayor pro tem. I have a passion for City Planning and City Administration since it seems to come naturally.

In 2015 I started working full time with two developers and became an associate developing multi-family complexes around the metroplex. I enjoy the world of developing and find it useful in making decisions for our city as we plan for the future.
Perhaps some day I'll retire, but I doubt it. I enjoy my work and volunteer activities, so why stop.

My second passion is being on the GBC Beautification Committee. Protecting our environment and making a difference how we treat our lakes and streams. It has become more important to me while living on beautiful Cedar Creek Lake, and lake clean-up days mean a lot. I will continue to try and protect our water ways and wildlife as long as I can.

I am a grandmother of 5 precious children. My husband, Steve, who I met in 1995 and married in 2008, live at Cedar Creek Lake. Steve and I enjoy relaxing at the lake where we enjoy sunsets and margaritas as often as possible from the boat dock or on the boat; the perfect way to end a day. (Except for summers like 2011 when the lake evaporated during the drought.) Our motto is "What happens at the lake stays at the lake." I have traveled extensively around the world and still enjoy traveling. My favorite hobbies are studying art and architecture, photography, bird watching, tending to my flower gardens, and most of all boating.

Life has been good to me and I am blessed. So glad to have my Eagle brothers and sisters back in my life! It is part of my being and holds a strong place in my heart.

My greatest memories were going to the high school football games and freezing in the west Texas wind and then heading to Macks for those vanilla Dr. Peppers and Pink cookies. Pep Rallies were a blast! The mass exit from school by the class of '69 as we neared the end of our high school journey will always standout as one of those moments we dared to break the rules and loved every minute of it.

Of course, who among us didn't trip and fall on those stairs running to classes in five minutes? I know I embarrassed myself enough times.

I remember how I liked Valentines because they sold valentines in the hallway and it was fun to send a little love to special friends.