Linda Josephine Simmons Upchurch, of Nashville, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family, on Jan. 28, 2021. She was 72 years old.

Linda was born May 15, 1948, in Anderson County, to Martha Lena Carter and Willis Simmons.

She was a 1966 graduate of White County High School and attended college at Tennessee Technological University. Linda worked as a gifted administrative assistant for many years at the Kennedy Center at Peabody (now Vanderbilt). Her true passion, though, was children; she was a foster parent for several children and, after becoming a mother herself, cared for a total of 15 children over the years in her home.

Linda was a true Southern lady with fiery red hair, a sharp wit, and a mischievous sense of humor. She was the consummate hostess, and her home was the epicenter of family life. From wedding and baby showers to eating beans and greens on New Year's Day, no event was too small to be celebrated with gusto and the perfect appetizer.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother and father; sisters, Ouida Faye Williams, Lila Jane McCalman; brother Basil Carroll Welch II; and infant daughter, Martha Leah Upchurch.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Richard Leon Upchurch; her beloved son, Thomas Carter Upchurch and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Janette Upchurch, of Memphis; grandchildren, Asher Andrew, Annelise Leah, and Eleanor Nicole Upchurch; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews; as well as many devoted friends and family members.

The family would like to thank all of the friends and family who reached out during Linda's final days to express their love. Due to COVID-19, a service honoring Linda had been postponed until now.

A memorial service will be conducted 11:00am Saturday, June 25, 2022 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10-11am at Hunter Funeral Home. A reception will be held at Oldham Theater on the Square in Sparta following the service at Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Susan Gray School, Peabody College, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.