Jacksonville – Linda Kay Smoot-Sayko, 77, of Jacksonville, North Carolina died on September 21, 2025. She passed peacefully at her home in the company of loving family members and friends. Memorial services will be conducted at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville, on October 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Visitation begins at 1:00 PM.

She is survived by her husband, Lt. Col. Stephen L. Sayko, USMC Retired; sons, Neal Richard Cole and Brian Thomas Cole; daughters-in-law, Samantha (Kinney) Cole and Annabella (Benfield) Cole; grandchildren, Brady, Riley, Adrianna, and Cierra Cole. She acquired many friends and associates whom she held dearly, in North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, and overseas.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 25, 1947, the daughter of John Smoot and Joanna (Neal) Smoot, she grew up in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana. She graduated from Terre Haute's Garfield High School in 1965 and from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1968, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from East Carolina University, and eventually advanced to become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. During her career she administered health care in various clinics and hospitals, to include three years as a civilian nurse at the Naval Hospital in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her final assignment was as a Nurse Practitioner with the Onslow County, North Carolina Public Health Department. In 1990, at age 43, she received a direct commission as a lieutenant junior grade in the US Navy Reserve (Nurse Corps). Almost immediately, she was mobilized for active duty for the Persian Gulf War and served on active duty for over a year during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She was honorably discharged in 1998 with the rank of lieutenant commander. As a member of the Onslow County Red Cross, she actively participated in recovery operations in New Jersey in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sigma Theta Tau the International Honor Society of Nursing and the prestigious Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina. Although very highly regarded in her nursing career, her most significant qualities were as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be laid to rest at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the Living Hope Community Church, 1310 Hargett St Jacksonville, NC, the Onslow County Chapter of the American Cross, or any other charity of your choice.