Linda Jane Smith Edwards Brown

July 15, 1936 - January 3, 2021

Linda Jane Smith Edwards Brown, age 84, was welcomed to heaven by Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 3, 2021. She was born on July 15, 1936 in Warsaw, N.C. to Frank and Eva Powell Smith. Married to Donnie L. Edwards in 1956, they reared their four children in Roseboro. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Donnie Edwards and Alvin Brown; parents; brothers, Thomas William Smith and Frank Smith, Jr.; son, Chris Edwards; granddaughter, Sarah Edwards; stepson, Dennis Brown; and stepdaughter, Ann Robey. Linda was a beautiful mother and grandmother. Through the years of her children growing, her home was always a gathering place for friends, family and all to enjoy her cooking and beautiful friendship. Her smile and contagious laugh will be greatly missed. She loved Jesus and was a faithful Christian all of her life and loved sharing her love for God. Linda enjoyed sharing the gospel of Jesus on Emmaus walks and Kairos Prison Ministry. She had many years and memories at First Baptist Church in Roseboro, N.C. She graduated from Watts School of Nursing in Durham, N.C. Linda retired as a nurse where she served many wonderful years at Sampson Memorial Hospital in Clinton, N.C. She was also a nurse missionary in India and other special places. She loved to fish, collect sea shells, and spend time on the beach at Oak Island and Topsail Beach. She is survived by her children, Michelle Reynolds and husband Wayne of Topsail Beach, N.C., Donnie Edwards, Jr. and wife Kim of Columbia, S.C., and Mary Linda Whitledge and husband David of Abingdon, Va.;; grandchildren, William Reynolds and wife Caroline, Smith Reynolds, Donnie Edwards, III, Chris Edwards, Jr. and fiancée Erin, and Perry Whitledge and wife Hannah; great grandchildren, Julian Edwards and Jason Edwards; special sisters-in-law, Joyce Carter, Grey Thompson, Mary Love Royal and Carol Honeycutt; and special family, Ashley Mathis, Fran Mathis and Tyler Mathis; stepdaughter, Laurie Courtney and family; and stepson, Father David Brown. Per Linda’s wishes, she will be cremated and inurned in N.C. at a later date. Due to COVID-19, a celebration of life will be held in the summer in Roseboro, N.C. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 3720 S. Salemburg Highway, Roseboro, NC 28382 or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. The family would like to extend special thanks to Elmcroft of Bristol, the staff of 2 East at Bristol Regional Medical Center; special friends Melissa Jones and William Witt for their love these past few years; special friends at Topsail Beach; and especially to her best friend, Dianne Jones. Arrangements especially for Ms. Brown and her family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.