Linda Ann Orr

June 8, 1950 - February 25, 2020

Linda Ann (Stovall) Orr was born June 8, 1950 in Toledo, Ohio, to her wonderful parents, Mable Trueheart Clark, and Alvin Stovall. She was the first and only child born to this union. Both parents have preceded her in death. Linda attended Jesup W. Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio. It is during these formative years, that Linda was able to express her love and talent for sports, music, and everything in between. She was a participant of the schools' softball team, as well as the Symphonic Choir ( to name a few), affording her the distinction as a state-recognized vocalist and athlete. After graduating from high school in 1968, Linda went on to receive early medical training as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Maumee Valley Hospital. Linda accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age. she was introduced to her heavenly father through the biblical teachings received at Mr. Piligrim Baptist Church and the First Church of God, both of Toledo, Ohio. As a member of the children's choir, it was during her early years, that Linda would develop her love for music and singing-an admiration that extended well into her adults. After relocating to Inkster, Michigan in 1978, Linda joined the Amity Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor W.C. Johnson. It was during this time that Linda served faithfully in numerous auxiliaries in the church, including dedicating her time to the music ministry as one of the choir directors (The Pastor's Chorus,) and a member of the usher board, to name a few. It was also during this time, that Linda worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Advance Nursing Center, while continuing her medical training at Lawton School, as well as Ross Medical Education Center, in Detroit, Michigan. In 2001, Linda found and joined her final church home, New Birth Baptist Church of Inkster, Michigan, under the leadership of Pastor Joseph A. Stephens, where she served in the choir faithfully, until her health no longer allowed her to do so. Linda departed this life on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. For many, she will always be known as a "feisty" individual, who kept a smile on her face, but will also cut you a look with her eyes that could kill a brick! (Smile, Y'all! You know it's true!) She had a love for life, and love for people, and undying love for her family. But most importantly, she knew and loved God, and made it her business to ensure her children knew him as well. With music being her first love, Linda had a fond appreciation for the arts and sciences. She was a self-proclaimed "Sci-Fi nerd", who wouldn't dare miss an episode of Star Trek, or popular forensics television show. Anybody visiting Linda at home can guarantee her TV would be locked on of two channels: Court TV and the Sci-Fi Network. As Linda's love for sports as still evident, you could sometimes find her watching, and possibly participating with the neighborhood children during random pick-up sports games - the same woman could boomerang a shoe around the corner and hit you in the next room with it, if need be. All in all, these are just a few of the qualities that Linda possessed that made her the beautiful person that she is. Even in her illness the saying ring true: To truly know Linda, is to truly love Linda! Linda leaves to cherish her love and memories: Her three children - Tisha, Trisha, and John; her grandchildren whom she adored immensely - Whitnie, Antonio, Martin, (Gabrielle), Cequan, Ciara, Marcus, and Carlos, her great-grandchildren - Rhylee, Mia, Leo, Elliott, and Carlos; her two sisters - Annie Fae of Minneapolis, MN, and Sandra (Charles) of Toledo, OH; her closest friend and confidant for almost 40 years, Mary Ervin (June), and a host of nieces, nephews, god-children, "extended" children and grandchildren, relatives and friends. Her husband John Sr. and one son Carlos, preceded her in death.