Linda Susan Randes

Our community lost a truly beautiful soul, Sunday morning, September 12th, 2021, when Linda Buchanan Scott Randes passed away peacefully in her sleep. Born February 15, 1950, in Pensacola, FL to Lester “Buck” and Bonnie Jean Buchanan, Linda was a lifelong resident and community advocate of Okaloosa County. Graduating Choctawhatchee High School in 1968, she started in accounting, moving on to get her Real Estate license. After owning Genesis Properties with colleague Jim Burgess, she partnered with Gloria Frazier at ERA American Realty of NWF, as Vice President, later leading their recruiting and professional development program. In her 40 years in real estate, Linda inspired and facilitated countless successful careers of the agents she took under her wing.

Widely recognized as the “glue” that consistently held the CHS class of ‘68 together throughout their many years of reunions, her tireless efforts bringing and keeping everyone together produced the most cherished of memories for all involved. Well-traveled, deeply invested in her community and church, successful in her business endeavors and known for living a full life, Linda was also remarkable for her abundant caring and many kindnesses. She unselfishly gave of herself to the larger community, specifically during her many years with the Junior League of the Emerald Coast, as a member and president. Being a large part of their restoration of the Gulfview Hotel, preserving a piece of the FWB she grew up in and loved so dearly, meant the world to her. She also gave her time and more to the American Cancer Society, Emerald Coast Science Center & Impact 100, as well as being active in civic affairs in FWB and the larger community, serving on Shalimar Town Council. Fort Walton Beach was her home and she was passionate about maintaining its heritage while continuing to improve it for all our residents and our future generations.

A dedicated mother, loving and adoring grandmother, treasured sister, cherished friend and ultimate professional, Linda was truly that elusive combination of talents, but most important to her was living life with her family and the ones she loved. Genuine in all she did, she always told the truth, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear, but never had an unkind word to say about anyone. In her success, she was never too busy to stop everything and help a friend or any new, overly stressed Real Estate agent too fresh to realize, no sale comes without a hiccup.

Linda is survived by her two beautiful daughters, Jennifer Wright and Jessica Scott, (life love, Jeremy Gagne), and beloved grandsons, Beckham Avery Wright and Fender Blue Wright; stepson, Adam Randes, (wife, Stacy), and granddaughter, Gemma Randes; brother, J.P. Buchanan and sister, Tisha Fleet, (husband, Bart); as well as cherished nieces and nephews, Nick, Drew, and Colby Buchanan, Gabe and Jordan Fleet.

A memorial service is to be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd NE, FWB, FL, with reception directly after service, hosted by her ERA family at the Shalimar location, 60 2nd St, Shalimar, FL.

Masks will be required and greatly appreciated at the Davis-Watkins facility. Thank you for your cooperation.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Linda’s memory to Junior League of the Emerald Coast, P.O. Box 265, Destin, FL 32540