Linda Joyce Powell Gannaway, 62, of Warren, passed away December 1, 2025. Born May 29, 1963, to Lacerine Gannaway and the late John T. Gannaway. She gave her life to Christ at a young age at St. James AME Church of Warren under the leadership of Rev. T.J. Blackmon.
Linda had a warm and loving spirit and was the oldest child born to Lacerine and John Gannaway. She led with patience, strength and care, setting a grounded example for her younger siblings. Linda graduated from Warren High School Class of 1981. She participated in FHA, Home Economics, and OSHA. She furthered her education and earned her HVAC certification from Oil Belt Voc-Tech School, El Dorado, AR. Her work career began at Wagon Place as a Dietician Aid and later worked at Robbins Sykes Hardwood Flooring.
Linda, lovely known as “Ninny” life’s testimony was her strong love for family and family values. Ninny did not have children of her own, but she raised each niece and nephew born into this family. One of her traditions was to take each baby and hang them by their clothes from a nail on the wall and to provide each kid with their first piece of chocolate.
Linda loved makeup, beauty, and all things glamorous. She enjoyed teaching the young women in her family how to apply makeup, and it became a special tradition for her to prepare them for proms, weddings, and life’s celebration. She loved all her nieces, nephews, and young relatives as if they were her own. She found joy in family gatherings and shared her nurturing heart with everyone around her. She ensured each child was protected and loved. She made life sweeter and brighter and more beautiful for us all. Her love will continue to shine through the lives she touched.
She was also preceded in death by two siblings.
Linda is survived by her mother, Lacerine Gannaway of Warren, AR.; six siblings, John Gannaway (Stacey), Shelia Gannaway Jackson (Marlon), Pamela Walls (Detrick), LaMonica Smith (David) all of Warren, AR., LaSonya Jackson, Quinee Jackson both of Milwaukee, WI.; aunts, Dorothy Gannaway of Portland, OR., Betty Edwards (Roy), Earnestine Ingram, Glenda Hines all of Warren, AR., Nettie Davis (Bobby) of Banks, AR., Joyce Powell, Albertine Jackson both of El Dorado, AR.; a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral service was held December 13 at Hammons Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Houston Marshall officiating. Burial was in A.T. Cemetery, Jersey, AR. Arrangements by Hammons Funeral Home.
