Linda Powell Orr

On May 4, 2020, our beautiful and loving mother, Linda Powell Groves Orr, passed away peacefully after short stays in the hospital and hospice. In her final days, she was surrounded by all five of her devoted children.

Linda was born to Dorris Scott Powell and Lee Fleetwood Powell in Paducah, Kentucky, on December 29, 1940. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband Robert “Rob” Orr. She is survived by her sister, Nancy P. Powell, and her brother-in-law, Joe A. Powell, as well as her five children and their spouses: Charles Christopher Groves (Gretchen), Christina Groves Lawless (Mark), Cavan Powell Groves (Sallie), Carter Stephen Groves (Mary), and Candace Groves Crofford (Jamie). She was blessed with thirteen grandchildren, whom she cherished: Barrett and Margaret Groves; Brooke, Caleb, and Natalie Lawless; Alice and Betsy Cochran; Henry, Katharine, and Harrison Groves; and Wesley, Casey, and Nathan Crofford. She is also survived by Rob’s children and their spouses Doug Orr (Jayne) and Jim Orr (Elaine), as well as his seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Linda graduated from Tilghman High School in Paducah, Kentucky in 1958. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas in 1962 and a Master of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in 1967.

Throughout her life, Linda was focused on her faith and family. She was a consistent presence at Skillman Church of Christ while raising her family with first husband, Charles Glen Groves. Later, she was a faithful member at Prestoncrest Church of Christ. Linda shared her deep faith in Christ with her children and imbued them with strong beliefs that have sustained them throughout their lives and during this difficult time. Linda also loved to laugh, and she had a great one. She loved to cheer on her favorite sports teams, including her children’s teams and her “Cats,” the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program. She also loved her succession of toy poodles. Linda was a wonderful woman and a fantastic sister, mother, and grandmother. She was so loved and will be deeply missed.

Linda’s family is grateful for the professionals who took great care of her at Presbyterian Village North, Medical City Dallas Hospital, and T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Prestoncrest Church of Christ [6022 Prestoncrest Lane, Dallas, Texas 75230], Abilene Christian University [ACU Gift Records, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699], or the Center for BrainHealth, part of The University of Texas at Dallas [2200 West Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75235]. A memorial service to honor Linda will be held at a future time and date yet to be determined.