Linda Kay O'Daniel

Linda Kay O’Daniel of Jonesboro, AR passed away on October 13, 2014 in Bossier City, LA. She was born in Weldon, AR on December 21, 1937 to James Lewis and Elizabeth Bronte Weld. Linda graduated from Newport High School in 1955 and received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Hendrix College in 1959. After graduating from college Linda taught high school English in Newport and Little Rock, AR. She married John Alva O’Daniel on August 13, 1961.


Throughout high school and college she was a member of the National Honor Society and was active in drama, FHA, and Latin Club. She left teaching in 1965 and focused on raising a family. In the mid 1980’s, after her children were grown, she went back to teaching special needs children in Plano, TX. In 1989, John and Linda retired and moved to Jonesboro to be near family. Linda volunteered for several years for St. Bernard’s Auxiliary. During this time she enjoyed working in the hospital gift shop and keeping the scrapbook. During retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids, was an avid reader, loved playing in various bridge groups, and traveling with friends. Linda was very active in several church organizations and loved the fellowship.

Linda is survived by her husband of 53 years John A. O’Daniel, her son James Shannon O’Daniel of Haughton, LA and his wife Erin, her daughter Kelley Vender of Austin, TX and her husband Doug and their two children Reid and Arden.

She is preceded in death by her parents James Lewis and Elizabeth Weld, her brother James Lewis Weld Jr. and her granddaughter Grace Elizabeth Vender.

Visitation will be held at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Monday, October 20th at 6-8:00 pm and services will be held Tuesday, October 21st at 10:00 am in the Chapel at Emerson Funeral Home with interment immediately following at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Linda’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://act.alz.org/goto/Lindaodaniel.