Linda Horton Diiorio, 74, peacefully passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026 with loved ones by her side.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Linda was the daughter of the late Conde Cheek and Madelyn Ricks Cheek. She was also preceded in death by her late husband, Jonnie E. Horton Jr.
Linda devoted 45 years of her life to nursing, caring for others with compassion and dedication. Throughout her career, she served in several hospitals and healthcare settings, including Emory and Egleston Hospitals in Atlanta. After moving to the Rock Hill area, she continued her work in mental health, caring for deaf and blind children, and serving in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit and internal medicine. She also worked in assisted living and dementia care before concluding her nursing career as a school nurse in 2014. For a while she worked at Duke Energy which she called the “good Duke Power Days”. Linda retired from school nursing to devote more time to one of her greatest joys in life, being a full-time grandmother.
Linda is survived by her husband, Anthony Joseph Diiorio; her daughter, Amanda Ballard (Jeremiah Ballard); and her cherished grandchildren, Caleb, Peyton and Gabriel Ballard. She is also survived by her sister, Carole Elkins (Regie Elkins); her brother, David Cheek (Danielle Cheek); her stepson, Joe Diiorio (Flor Diiorio); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Linda also leaves behind her beloved goldendoodles, Sugar and Maggie.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Linda’s memory to the Novant Health Cancer Institute Kemp Bessant Support Center.
A memorial service will be held at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Rd. Rock Hill, SC 29732 on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m., before the service.
Condolences may be shared online at www.greenefuneralhome.net.