Linda Louise Cannady

Linda Louise “Shortstop” Martin-Cannady was 68 years of age at the time of her peaceful departure on Sunday, April 11, 2025, from this earth at Majestic Care of West Allen. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 17, 1956, to the late Loucille “Cille” Dowdell-Allen and the late Rozelle “Pepper” Johnson.

At an early age she accepted Christ and became a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. John Dixie. Later in life, she became a member of True Love Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Jesse White, and continued her faithful service under the current leadership of Pastor Robert Bell.

Linda enjoyed playing cards, going to the casino with her mom, auntie, uncle, and cousin on any given Thursday or Friday. Her other past times included dancing, celebrating her birthday, and cooking catfish “the small ones, not large ones”. She also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending cook-outs, making people laugh with her sense of humor, and being part of the Ladies Auxiliary Post 8147. Oh yeah, she was always saying, “she was adopted as being a Whitaker”.

“Shortstop” as she was known to many, leaves to cherish in her many loving memories, a loving husband of 38 happy years of marriage, Johnnie L. Cannady; son, Eddie V. Martin; step-son, Eugene Cannady; daughters, Lucille S. Martin, Catrena N. Martin, and Farrah L. Martin, all of Fort Wayne; sisters, HenryEtta (Willie) Bright-Savage, and Ulrica (Wilson) Whaley; brother, Wade (Bertha) Martin, and special aunt, Angeline Barron all of Fort Wayne, 36 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, step-father, L. C. (Carolyn) Martin; mother-in-law, Gladys Williams; special nephew, her 2nd son, she lovingly called him, Ernest “Ernie” (Tonya) Dowdell; special nieces, Lynn (Martin) Dowdell-Castro and Markiss (Carolyn) Dowdell; a very special friend “BFF” Patricia “Pat” Williams; her god children, Samuel and Angeline Whaley, along with a host of other beloved aunties, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her first born, Armond Martin; mother, Loucille Dowdell-Allen; father, Rozelle Johnson; stepfather, Jethro Allen, and a brother, Clarence Martin.

A visitation for Linda will be held Friday, May 2, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:45 pm at True Love Baptist Church, 715 East Wallace Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46803. A Homegoing Celebration will follow at 1:00 pm.

Linda will be laid to rest in Lindenwood Cemetery, 2324 West Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808.