Linda Kate Marshall

Linda Marshall was born on May 9, 1953, a date that fittingly fell on Mother’s Day once every decade—a reflection of the life she would live as the “Mother of Mothers.” She entered the world in Newton, Mississippi, a small town in the Deep South, where she was raised by her devoted single mother, Diane Sellers. From the start, Linda was instilled with the Whitehead family’s trademark humor, toughness, and work ethic—whether it was helping in the garden with collard greens and cabbage or learning the joy of family and togetherness. Not long after, her brother Joe joined the household, adding to the laughter and bond they shared.

Linda’s youth was shaped by the warmth of a big family—Aunts, Uncles, and cousins who poured their love, wisdom, and resilience into her spirit. In time, she moved with her mother to Louisville, Kentucky, where she attended Central High School, the same school once walked by Muhammad Ali. A proud graduate of the class of 1970, Linda ran track and played the piano, talents that reflected her drive and creativity.

Always adventurous, Linda’s early years were filled with love, lessons, and new beginnings. After a short-lived shotgun wedding in Texarkana, Arkansas, she returned to Louisville and then journeyed north to Detroit to be with her Aunties. There, she began a nursing program and met her first great love, Cornell. From that union came two beloved children, Cornell Jr. and Tamika. Linda adored motherhood—dressing her little ones in matching outfits, teaching them through laughter, song, and dance, and always centering her life around their happiness.

Even after heartbreak, Linda’s resilient spirit carried her forward. She later married an Air Force serviceman, traveling the world with him while continuing her nursing education. Together they welcomed her youngest daughter, Brittany, who became the cherished “baby sister” to Cornell and Tamika.

Family was Linda’s heartbeat. She was the glue that brought everyone together, filling weekends with music, dancing, and joy at Granny and Paw Paw’s house. Her love extended across generations to her grandchildren—Trent, Marcus, Dominic, Jimmie, Dedrich, Cameron, Braelyn, Aleiya, Kennedy, Jo Jo, Mya, and Mason—and later to her great-grandchildren, Reign and Iya. In addition she made a point to include Juanester and Andy “Cap” to be noted as her absolute favorites! She treasured each one and gave them affectionate nicknames that only she could bestow.

Linda loved life. She loved to laugh, to tell stories, to nurture, and to celebrate every person around her. She was adventurous, strong, and endlessly giving. Her legacy is not only in the lives she touched as a nurse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, but also in the spirit of joy and resilience she passed down to everyone blessed to know her.

Linda Marshall will forever be remembered for her radiant smile, her boundless heart, and her unwavering devotion to family.