of Desha, AR

November 9, 1948 - March 12, 2024

Linda Moody was a true southern Lady who did not think she should tell her ''age, weight, or who she voted for'' and would refer to her birthday as ''That day in November''. Linda left this earth on March 12, 2024, with restored vision and health to SEE the face of her Savior and her favorite ''guitar picker''.

Linda married the love of her life, Dan, on July 24, 1966, and on October 10, 2012, her heart was broken beyond repair when the Lord called Dan ahead so suddenly. Linda was also welcomed to her eternal home by her parents, Fount and Vera Barnes, her 9 siblings, and numerous in-laws and family.

Linda was a beloved mother to her children: son, Brad (Jodi) Moody of Desha, and daughter, Dana (Cledas ''Bubby'') Manuel of Nixa, MO. and her grandchildren Maisie Manuel (Carter) Eaton of Rogers, AR, Madison Moody of Franklin, TN, Channing Manuel of Nixa, MO and Gentry Moody of Desha, AR and a host of nieces and nephews.

Momma loved young people, especially the friends of her children and grandchildren. From late night basketball games in the driveway, youth group trips to Branson, and band competitions, to recitals and sporting events. Her love for young people inspired her to establish a college scholarship for Desha Baptist youth who had professed faith in Jesus Christ and was actively involved in church.

She accepted Jesus as her savior as a young girl. She has served the Lord since 1969 at Desha Baptist church, serving as volunteer youth leader and teacher for Awanas and Vacation Bible School for years. She also sang in the choir and did whatever she thought needed to be done to make things right. Linda served many friends and families of the church on the shower committee celebrating weddings, new life, special birthdays and anniversaries.

The White Rogers family was special to her. Linda started working there in about 1970 when she and Dan moved back from Peoria, IL. She started out in the accounting department and was responsible for payroll. At ''month end'' she was always very busy and worked long hours to make sure that everyone got paid. Later she was promoted to IT Manager where she, along with her team, kept the technology and phone lines going until the plant closed in May of 2009, when she retired. In addition to working at White Rogers she was also the Weight Watchers leader in Batesville for many years.

Linda loved summertime. She enjoyed being at the lake skiing and boating with church friends in the 70-80's. Each year on her first time to water ski for the season, she would get on top of the water and yell to us in the boat, ''I am not over the hill yet!'' But her very favorite place to be was at the beach with her family or with the Golden Girls at the Sand Castle! Well, second only to 300 Jamestown Road - she loved the home place that she and Dan built together.

Dan and Linda loved traveling and camping in their 5th wheel with friends, attending many bluegrass festivals over the years. They loved their family deeply. They took great pleasure in taking family vacations but the holidays were the best! Linda was the Queen of Celebrations! Her real joy was planning her family holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions ran deep! Her Sunday Lunches were grand and always a big deal with her famous Monkey Bread and strawberry freezer jam! But Easter; Oh Easter was the best!!! Sunrise service, breakfast out, bunny hiding eggs and leaving treats, worship service, family pictures, an amazing lunch and then the egg hunt!!!!

She loved to serve, support, and honor people. One way she honored people was by making wreaths and flower arrangements for the gravesite of the people she loved. It was a double blessing because she could honor those she loved but also got great joy from the making and arranging of the flowers which allowed her to use her ''Valedictorian of the Bow Making Class'' skills that she claimed to have. She would work for weeks prior to Memorial day and she would make a trip to Alderbrook Cemetery, then to Crossroads Cemetery and then up to Sugar Hill Cemetery. A few years ago she made and placed 35 flower arrangements for Memorial Day. The old saying, ''To have great friends you must be a great friend.'' is true and Linda was a wonderful friend because she was blessed to have so many wonderful friends in her life.

She spent a lot of time alone during the pandemic but she kept up with those she loves via Facebook. She was always excited to know what her family across the country was doing and she enjoyed keeping up with her high school classmates and lifelong friends. Her precious companion cat, Lottie Mae, was her saving grace over the last few years.

Serving as pallbearers are: Tommy Taylor, Keith Harmon, Dloyd Sparks, Ron Howard, Ray Bowman, Mark Frasier. Honorary pallbearers are: Bret Ferris, Aaron Moody, Fred Bufford, Ian Kramer

Honorary (sorority) pallbearers are her sweet friends: Debbie Pearson, Debbie Thacker, Jo Stroud, Brenda Taylor, Sandra Howard, Ollie Taylor, Betty Barnes.

The family extends a special thank you for the care provided by Woodcrest Assisted Living, Woodlawn, Caring Hands Hospice and UAMS staff, especially Dr. Jordan Weaver, Dr. Patrick Sullins, Dr. Michael Andryka and Alexis Hoover.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 18, 2024 at 2:00pm at the Desha First Baptist Church with Josh Swinea officiating. Burial will follow at Alderbrook Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 17, 2024 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm at the Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Batesville.

Donations to the Desha Baptist Scholarship Fund she created years ago, can be made in lieu of flowers by mailing a check to Desha First Baptist Church P.O Box 129 Desha, Arkansas 72527 and note Scholarship- Linda Moody in the memo.

Floral arrangements are under the care of Kim Gleghorn and Ronnie Clouse (870) 613- 5163 at Queen Ann's Lace Flowers and Gifts in Batesville, Arkansas.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Crouch Funeral Home
510 College Avenue
Batesville, AR  72501
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com