Linda Melbourne, our beloved mother, aunt, sister and grandma from Brockton, Montana made her journey to the spirit world at the age of 66 on July 29, 2022 at Poplar Community Hospital, due to natural causes. If you knew Linda, you knew she was a private person and respect was something she held to a high standard.
Linda was born on May 8, 1956, at the Poplar Community Hospital to Susan Beverly Melbourne and Clifton Ray Cheek, Sr. As the oldest Linda would later welcome her sisters Charlene Cheek and Donna (Errol) Yellow Hammer, and her brother Clifton Ray (Angela) Cheek, Jr.
Linda attended elementary and high school in Brockton, MT, graduating in 1974. Linda found her calling in the profession of nursing, she attended college at Eastern Montana College in Billings and Williston State College, in Williston, North Dakota. After working in the Nursing and medical field for several years, Linda later worked for various tribal programs and spent the last few years of her life working for the Tribal Veteran’s Program in Poplar, Montana.
Throughout her entire life Linda devoted her time to helping and visiting her many relatives across the reservation. Whether it was lobbying for her relatives or a friend in need at the Fort Peck Tribal Board or another community agency, Linda was always there willing to help anyone who asked, Linda was the kind of person who thought of others, instead of herself.
Linda married Todd McClammy at the age of 29. Throughout their 36 years together, they loved and cherished their six beautiful children. Thomas “Greeny” Jerome, Michael (Afrelle) Failing, Martha (Jason) Failing-Kearns, Marlene Failing, Johnnie McClammy, William “Tolly” (Alyssa) McClammy.
Linda loved all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was the matriarch of her family and tried to keep all her relatives close and taught them to be supportive of each other, especially in times of need. Linda made many friends throughout her lifetime and valued their friendship.
Linda is survived by her children, Mike, Marlene, Martha, William “Tolly”. Her sister Charlene Cheek. Her immediate grandchildren; Raycine and Kyle First; Michael and Thomas Jerome; David Jr. and Gavin Grainger; Michael, Memphis, and Mahayla Kearns; Em’brielle McClammy; and Marielle Failing. Adopted sister Verbena Savior, nephews Eric and Andrew Sherman, Alexis and Jahn Charboneau, Cameron and Casey Cheek, and Myron Yellow Hammer, nieces Angeline and Laurel Cheek, Misty and Traci Yellow Hammer.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years Todd McClammy, her parents Ray and Susie Cheek, brother Clifton Jr., sister Donna Yellow Hammer, daughter Johnnie McClammy, son Thomas “Greenie” Jerome, nephew Bronson Charboneau and several of her relatives from the Jones, Melbourne, Longee, Martin, Red Boy and Fast Horse families too numerous to mention. We know that Linda was dearly loved by all her relatives and friends, if we forgot anyone, we are terribly sorry.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.