Linda Jane Etheridge Allison

Linda Jane Etheridge Allison passed away on Thursday, December 16, at Columbus Hospice, at the age of 81.

A memorial service will be held at a later time according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Linda is survived by Roy Allison, her husband of 56 years, her daughter Amy Allison Otott, her granddaughter Amelia Claire Otott, two sisters, Nancy (Bob) Stacey and Carol (Greg) Wingard, two nephews Carson (Carrie) Paris and Brent Paris, two nieces Caroline Paris Martin (Chris) and Madison (Corey) Matiak, and four great nieces and three great nephews.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Frankie Etheridge, her niece Allison Stacey Burke (Don), her nephew Carl Stacey, and her beloved son-in-law Bill Otott.

Linda was born on July 20, 1940, in Columbus, Georgia, to the late Willetta (Carlisle) Etheridge and James Frank Etheridge. Linda graduated from Auburn University with a teaching degree. She later got her Master’s degree from the University of West Georgia. In Columbus, Georgia, she taught at River Road Elementary, St. Mary’s, and Gentian. In between those teaching assignments, she was traveling with her husband Roy to Iran for three years and later to Athens, Georgia, where Roy graduated from law school. She also taught in Athens, Georgia, Houston, Texas, and Marietta, Georgia.

Linda graduated from Jordan Vocational High School in 1958, where she was elected “Most Poised” her senior year. Her best friend to the day that Linda passed away was Jeannie Lindsay Giglio. Jeannie describes their friendship as “spanning 81 years—connecting and reconnecting like a well woven tapestry.” They texted or talked every day. Jeannie’s message to Linda is as sweet as their friendship: “Darling Linda, keep an eye out and say a prayer for me—we will see each other again soon.”

Linda declared early on that she was The Princess, and she was an only child for 5 years. She never quite got over the fact that three more children arrived, although she loved us very much and was a good sister.

Nancy and Linda were five years apart, and they shared a room at various points in their growing up years. Linda was extremely messy and Nancy was extraordinarily tidy. When Nancy was 17 and Linda was 22, Nancy put duct tape down the middle of their room and declared her side off limits to Linda. Linda was so mad, even though all of us were on Nancy’s side. Later, they laughed about it for years. Nancy remembers many thoughtful gestures from Linda, especially her Linda-Nancy charm bracelet, for which Linda would send silver charms each year.

Linda was 11 years older than I  (Carol), and she was like a second mom to me. As soon as she began working, she started me in dancing. I visited her several times at Auburn, staying overnight in the dorm, which I thought were the best times ever. Linda was there for my children and me consistently over the years. My children looked at Linda and Roy as their grandparents as well as their aunt and uncle.

My brother Frankie died in 2011 at age 57, but three things he would say would be, “Thank you for letting me live when I so-called terrorized you from ages 2-5, I love you, and thanks for being a generous big sister.”

Amy’s husband Bill was well loved by all of us, but he was adored by Linda. His kindness and sense of fun always warmed Linda’s heart.

Linda’s only grandchild Amelia Claire Otott was the apple of her eye. She loved to read to Amelia Claire, and she loved to teach Amelia Claire.

Linda was an avid reader, and she loved reading on her Kindle, while she enjoyed the lake view at her house in Coca Lake. She loved going to our Carlisle Family Picnic at Easter, and she loved our big extended family. She was especially close to her cousins Julia Payne, Retta Black, and Dot Jones.

Linda read to her daughter Amy from the time Amy was born, just as she did to Amelia Claire and to me. She took Amy to the library and to bookstores regularly. She inspired in all of us a lifelong love of reading. She inspired me to be a teacher.

Linda’s husband Roy treated her like a princess. His favorite memory is the night they met at the Officers’ Club at Fort Benning. He thought she was beautiful and remembers her lovely smile. He loved dancing with her that night, although he vows he had no idea how to dance.

Linda, we love you. We will miss you.