Linda went home to Heaven on August 25, 2022 to be with the Lord and rejoin her family and friends who had journeyed before her. She passed away at home with her loving daughter, Judy “Sierra” at her bedside. This lovely lady may be temporarily gone from our sights, but never from our hearts.
Linda was born in Stringtown (Pike County), Kentucky on June 21, 1932. Her parents, James and Virgie McCoy blessed her with 11 brothers and sisters. She was so proud of her family, to be a “McCoy” and a “Coal Miner's Daughter.” Her father, James “Jim” McCoy was a young boy during the famous and historic Hatfield and McCoy Feud. Her southern family was tight knit, loving, and musically inclined.
Linda and her late husband, John, were married 67 years and raised their two daughters and one son in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Thereafter, they moved to Treasure Island and St. Petersburg, Florida for an early retirement and ultimately retired in Surprise, Arizona. Although Linda worked part time for GM in the Canteen and Executive Cafeteria, what she valued most was being a Homemaker and Mother to her children. She was our beloved family’s Matriarch, as well as, loved by all of her many family members who live in various states in the US. Her family was her top priority and she felt that her greatest blessing in life was having all family members in her life that she loved so much.
Linda never met a stranger, loved almost everyone she met and they in turn loved her for her unique, fun spirit, and most genuine & direct approach. She was a true “People Person” with a big personality along with her southern accent and charm to match. She treasured her many friendships with residents in the Sun Village Community where she resided, as well as, the Surprise Senior Center and the Riverboat Bingo in Surprise. Bingo, playing cards & dining with her friends several times a week, keeping in touch with family members, and weekly Sunday dinners and cards at her daughter’s home, filled her week with purpose and joy. Linda loved to cook, sing, listen to music and dance with her family. She continued to drive her car very close to her 90th birthday prior to her illness and jokingly once said, “The police will need to catch me to take away my driver’s license.”
Linda is survived by her daughter, Judy Sierra Gray (Kent Evans) in Arizona, her son and daughter-in-law, John and Ana Powell in Texas, and son-in-law, Tom Mullins in Michigan. 6 Grandchildren: Michael Mullins (Gayle), Chuck Gray (Christi), Melissa Mullins-Genik, Angela Gray (Garrett Bunting), Gabriella Powell, and Lucas Powell. 9 Great Grandchildren: Brittany, Kristen, Mollie, Katie, Charlie, Sophia, Lily, Penny, and Harrison McCoy. 4 Great-Great Grandchildren: Caiden, Easton, Karson, and Maverick. Brothers: Luther McCoy (Ginny), in FL and Tully McCoy (Norma) in AR. The Powell Sisters: Carlene Johnson and Betty Peppers in AL. Also surviving are her many wonderful Nieces and Nephews that she loved so dearly and who were so kind & loving to her. Linda was preceded in death by her husband, John Edward Powell, her daughter, Theresa Lynn Mullins, her son-in-law, Charles Earl Gray, 2 greatgreat grandchildren, Shane and Wyatt, her parents, Jim and Virgie, her sisters, Rosa Bell, Marie, Martha, Spicie Sue, Dahlia, her brothers, Jack, Cordle, Jimmy, and John Earl.
We are sincerely grateful to The Dignity Hospice organization and the caring team of professionals that helped to provide personalized care over the past 5 weeks.
Linda’s service will be held in the Chapel at the Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 10:00 am. We welcome all family and friends to join us in celebration of Linda’s life in a participatory manner of sharing stories and memories about her. A light lunch reception will be served immediately following the service, at the same location. There will be a private family burial the following week at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix where Linda’s late husband, John is buried.
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