Entertainment Fort Smith co-founder Linda Seubold has died

Linda Seubold, a longtime reporter and columnist with the Southwest Times Record, and co-founder of Entertainment Fort Smith magazine, has died after a long bout with cancer. She was 76.

Seubold was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2012 but survived seven more years, sustained by faith, courage, the love of family and friends and treatment she received at the Myeloma Center of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock, according to a statement from Entertainment Fort Smith. It was her hope that by participating in numerous research trials, future patients will be able to overcome the disease.

Seubold graduated from Fort Smith High School, where she trained under journalism teacher Hazel Presson. She attended Fort Smith Junior College before marrying Frank Seubold. He preceded her in death in 2016 after a 55-year marriage. Together they had five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Michael Tilley, executive editor of Talk Business & Politics, said Seubold had a big influence on his journalism career when he joined the Times Record in 1992.

“Seubold was a newsroom mother to many, with an easy smile and warm spirit that calmed and assuaged many a rookie reporter. She also was an ardent advocate for downtown Fort Smith decades before anyone heard of the ‘Live, Work, Play’ mantra. Her positive energy, make-it-happen attitude, belief in community and deep love of storytelling will be missed,” Tilley said.

In her “Off Beat” column at the Times Record, Seubold put a personal touch to the people and events in the Fort Smith metro. She wrote often about the music and entertainment scene in downtown Fort Smith, and was also known for her unabashed love of Tabasco Sauce and other spicy ingredients and foods.

“Seubold was an upbeat, consistent cheerleader for efforts such as the Riverfront Blues Festival and the U.S. Marshals Museum. She wrote many (newspaper and magazine) inches about local musicians. local culture and diverse individuals who contribute to the betterment of Fort Smith. Personally and professionally, Linda had a consistently positive influence on her hometown. Those who read her columns know that Linda was both ‘Offbeat’ and ‘Hot Stuff,’” noted the statement from Entertainment Fort Smith.

Lynn Wasson, co-founder of Entertainment Fort Smith, said the magazine will continue.

Talk Business & Politics will update this story when funeral arrangements are announced.