Linda Mae Blair, 79, of Etowah, passed away on September 25, 2025. Daughter of the late Marie and Lawrence S. Blair, Linda was an English teacher and later librarian at McMinn Central High School, where she taught until her retirement. Linda was the valedictorian of the Class of 1964 of Etowah High School and received her bachelor's degree in literature and education from Carson-Newman College. She later completed a master's degree in library science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Linda was an active member of First Baptist Church of Athens, participating in her Sunday School class, the Adult and Senior Adult Choirs, and Women on Mission. She was a devoted caregiver to her mother, Marie, for many years before her death in 2001. After retirement, Linda volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was on the Board of Morning Star Ministries. In her spare time, Linda enjoyed long walks on the family farm and took pride in looking after the cattle on the property. She loved to read and was a devoted UT sports fan. Her fondest pastime, however, was being with her family.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her brother, Lawrence E. (Larry) Blair. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jean Blair, and her nieces, Julie (Eric) Lange and Sarah (Daniel) Kelly, and their families, including her great-nephew, Daniel Timothy Kelly, and great-niece, Elizabeth Grace Kelly. Linda will also be missed by her surviving cousins, her colleagues from McMinn Central High School, and her many dear friends.

A receiving of friends is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, from 5-7 PM at First Baptist Church of Athens, to be followed by a funeral service at 7 PM, officiated by Reverend Josh Vance. A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 6, at 11 AM at Green Hill Cemetery in Etowah. Pallbearers will be Daniel F. Kelly, Daniel T. Kelly, Eric Lange, Ken Armstrong, Lester Wheeler, and Wayne Carpenter. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Howell and Carey Hicks. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Morning Star Ministries, the First Baptist Church of Athens Library Fund, or the Samaritan's Purse organization.

Linda's family would like to thank the many caregivers whose faithful service allowed Linda to spend her last few months at home peacefully. These include multiple private caregivers, associates from Family and Faith Home Care, and nurses and staff from Hospice of Chattanooga, as well as family friends Trish Croft and Amy Beth Watson, and Sarah Kelly, who tirelessly coordinated Linda's care and stayed with her until the end. The family is also grateful to the women of Linda's Sunday School Class and the Senior Adult and Shut-in Ministries of First Baptist Church of Athens for their many visits with Linda over the years.