Linda Jones

Linda G. Jones, 71 of Goodlettsville, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2020 at Her home. Born November 26, 1948 in Springfield, TN, she was the daughter of the late Willie Jacob Graves and Georgie Mae (Shepherd) Graves. Linda was a graduate of Tennessee Tech and received her Masters' degree from the University of Tennessee extension school in Nashville. She had a long and impressive career as a teacher. She had been named Metro Nashville's Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1998 and was retired from Old Center School. She continued to work "part time" during her retirement and was active in the Book Buddy program. During her career she had numerous celebrities, political figures and community influencers come to her classroom to read to her students. Her passion for education and reading were a large part of her legacy to the youth of middle Tennessee. Linda was known to be a very encouraging, supportive, friendly and engaging person. She truly never met a stranger and had a knack for getting to know new acquaintances very quickly. She loved sports and over the years had attended many Atlanta Braves games. She was also a season ticket holder for Vandy for some 20 years. A member of Parkway Baptist Church, Linda loved her pastor, Brother Ken Castleberry and her entire church family. Linda was a devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt and great-aunt. She had a sense of family and love for hers that knew no bounds. Her great nieces and great nephews came to call her "Grauntie" as she loved her extended family as though they were grandchildren. Linda is survived by her husband of 51 years, James D. Jones; their daughter, Tamara L. Jones; sister, Jean and her husband Rick Lott; brother, James and his wife Betty Lou Graves; niece, Lori and her husband Kevin Szathmary; nephews, Greg Lott and Jake Graves; great-nieces, Carlie Szathmary, Macey Lott, Gabi Lott and Sadie Graves; and great-nephews, Declan Szathmary and Wiley Graves. A service in celebration of Linda's life will be held at a time to be announced. Memorial contributions can be made to the library at Jack Anderson elementary in memory of Linda Jones at 250 Shutes Lane, Hendersonville TN 37075.