‘Soul’ of Hendersonville cafe killed in crash with mother, sister
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A beloved Hendersonville cafe is back open as the owner mourns the loss of his wife, the matriarch of the eatery.
Linda Alkasem, 65, died in a crash in Alabama on Sunday, April 21, along with her mother and sister.
Customers and employees alike will tell you Linda was the heart of Cafe Rakka.
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“The place here is like a body and a soul, and she is the soul of this cafe,” Linda’s husband, Riyad Alkasem, explained.
That soul made friends with everyone who came through the doors of Cafe Rakka. Linda was often found flashing her infectious smile behind the counter of the quaint eatery on New Shackle Island Road.
“She did not create customers for us. She created friends, truly,” Riyad, better known as ‘Chef Rakka,’ said.
For the last 16 years, Linda and Riyad worked side by side at the popular cafe, but their love story of more than 30 years extended well beyond the restaurant’s walls.
“We were true partners, and there’s no doubt about it,” the heartbroken husband said. “Anywhere we go, we do things together.”
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Last week, Linda and her sister set out on a trip to Florida with their 89-year-old mother. It was supposed to be the first of multiple trips for the women to travel the country together.
“And that was it. They didn’t get to finish their plan,” Riyad told News 2.
The family was returning home to Hendersonville when authorities said they were hit head-on by a truck in Alabama. Linda died in the crash, along with her mother, Evelyn Hnott-Brayton, and her sister, Deborah Wall.
“They are the only family I have here,” Riyad said as he fought back tears.
Riyad shared beautiful life stories of the women, giving a glimpse into their inseparable bond and dynamic that shined as loving parents and grandparents. He said all three were strong leaders who shared a kindness for others, making this loss too great to comprehend.
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“The sorrow and the sadness will consume you,” Linda’s husband explained. “Time will heal all wounds, but I don’t think my wounds will heal easy.”
The chef hopes to return to the kitchen soon, vowing to carry his wife’s presence with him.
“One day we will reflect on her life and celebrate it the right way she wants, but for now, we are just going to put her vision in the cafe as much as we can moving forward,” Riyad said.
According to Linda’s obituary, she left behind three sons and three grandchildren. Her family is set to gather for a visitation from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at Hendersonville Memory Gardens, followed by the funeral services at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 26 at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church.
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