Linda Jean Hood Mallory, 77, died on Monday, October 29, 2018, at the NMMC Pontotoc Extended Care Facility, Pontotoc, Mississippi.
Born on March 27, 1941, to Alvin Henry and Evelyn Irene Wallace Hood, in Dorsey, Itawamba County, Linda attended the county’s public schools and community college. Linda married Donald Draper Mallory on March 26, 1962, and they made their home until her death in Pontocola on the 182-year old Thomas Mallory farmstead. While Linda was a most capable bank teller at the Bank of Mississippi (Bancorp South) Nettleton branch for nearly twenty years, she was most focused on her family and her faith. Linda’s crown jewel Earthly-accomplishment was the exceptional rearing of her beloved daughter, Mindy. As a mother, there was no one to compare. She labored selflessly to give her daughter opportunities and was supportive and encouraging but honest. She was not afraid of discipline and required respectful behavior in church and towards those in authority. Linda was ever supportive of her husband Don and his farming operation, and for all who had the great pleasure of sampling her cooking, she demonstrated total mastery of Southern cuisine and comfort food. As a newlywed, her husband fondly remembers the first garden she tilled, planted, harvested and preserved by hand. He likewise was in awe of the picnic Thanksgiving feast she prepared and set out on the tailgate of his pickup while he was harvesting soybeans late one fall. Her last ten years she had the blessing to laugh at, bestow love upon, and simply adore her twin grandsons, Brooks and Shaw. As a grandmother, she was fun loving, often sporting silly costumes for giggles, and hunting interesting rocks for Shaw or frying chicken for Brooks. She told outrageously funny bedtime stories and could perfectly and artfully name any animal, both live and stuffed. She had spunk, wit, humor and intelligence and enjoyed a good laugh. She loved music of all genres and her favorite color was blue.
Linda was a faithful Christian, God fearing woman who would unabashedly share the Gospel truth (and other truth!) and was a longtime member of Woodland Baptist Church. The fruit of the Spirit she most outwardly exhibited were love and kindness.
The past several years of Grana’s life have been wrought with effects of dementia. Because of her love for others she would want her life to be a testimony and encouragement to those who suffer the same. God showed her and her family grace even through her affliction and death. Many thanks to her family at Pontotoc Extended Care Nursing Home who have so lovingly cared for her over the past 3.5 years. Special thanks to Dr. Steve Montgomery and longtime physicians Drs. Ken Harvey and Marianne Barnes.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 1, 2018, at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Justin Varnon and Bro. Fred Hartley officiating. Burial will follow in the Pontocola Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM today (Wednesday) and from 10:00 AM to service time on Thursday, all at Holland-Tupelo Chapel which is honored to be serving their friends. The service may be viewed via www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming at 11:00 AM Thursday and for 60 days thereafter.
Linda is survived by her husband of 56 years, Don Mallory of Pontocola; her daughter, Malinda Dawn Mallory Prewitt, MD (“Mindy”), and her husband Richard Bradley Prewitt (“Brad”), of Pontocola, and their sons, Brooks and Shaw; her sisters, Mary Dorrill and her husband, Ernie, of Canton, MS, and Diann Norris of Saltillo; her sister-in-law and neighbor, Carol Davis, of Pontocola; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and longtime farm hand and adopted family member Willie Earl Gillespie (“Brother”). Last but close to her heart is her feist, Hotty Toddy. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Harrol A. Hood, Sr.
Pallbearers will be drawn from Linda Mallory’s nephews and great nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Britt Huffstatler and Willie Earl Gillespie.
The family requests that memorials may be made to the NMMC Pontotoc Extended Care Activity Fund, 126 S. Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863.
