Linda Doretha Brown, 72, of Jena, passed away at her home on Friday, October 9, 2020.
She was born January 7, 1948 in Jena.
Linda pursued her academic goals and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Grambling State in 1970. She furthered her education to receive her Masters in Education from Northwestern State University in 1981.
Linda made a career in being a teacher, which was very fitting because she had the love and gentleness needed to reach the children in her classroom. She showed the same love and gentleness to many in the community as she opened her home to countless children throughout the years and showed them unconditional love and stability when no one else would. Linda worked 39 years in the LaSalle Parish School System and over 10 years at Walmart in Jena.
She was never selfish with her time or energy. In fact, she spent much of her time checking on everyone else before herself. She was a mother figure to many individuals which was evidenced by those attending her service. The list is extensive but the impact of her passing truly shows how many lives Linda was able to change.
Linda never lost her easy going demeanor and always found a way to get things done. Her ability to show us that there is genuine love in the world will stay with the family forever.
Linda was a mother, a mother figure, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, and a friend. She never married but gave birth to a daughter, Yolanda Brown in 1971. She raised as her own, sons, Khristoffer, Malcolm and Byron Brown. Mario and Yolanda blessed Linda with three amazing grandchildren, Aaliyah, Adrianne and Troy.
Services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at Mars Hill Baptist Church of Jena with Rev. Gregory Tolbert officiating.
Interment followed in Webster Cemetery of Good Pine under direction of Gayden Funeral Home of Jena.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Doretha Brown-Wilson; her father, Ernest Jones; step-father, Billy E. Wilson; sisters, De-Wanda Jones and Judith Brown; and brothers, Ernest Jones, Jr., Charles Ray Jones, Lawrence Jones, and Calvin Wilson.
Her remaining living siblings are Patricia Ann Brown, Vickie Walton, Virginia Slaughter, Willie May “Tiny” Wilson, Frances Wilson, and Billy E. Wilson, Jr.
Active pallbearers were Leonard Mendoza, Curling Brinson, Delvin Hatcher, Terry Brown, Darrel Brown, and Patrick Brown, with Troy Brown serving as an honorary pallbearer.