Linda Carol Griffin

Linda Denton Griffin, 79, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, surrounded by her three girls. In the midst of our sorrow, we rejoice knowing she is restored and resting in the arms of Jesus.

Linda was born on September 9, 1946, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Ruby Lee and Sterlin Denton of Slate Springs, Mississippi. As a child, she moved with her parents and brother, Hank, to Pensacola, where she later graduated from Escambia High School in 1964.

After graduation, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Auburn University, followed by a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Florida State University. Linda joyfully taught elementary students with hearing impairments before settling into a long career as a speech pathologist. A lifelong learner, she later returned to the University of South Alabama where she earned a second master’s degree in Library Science. She retired in 2009 after a beautiful career in education as a Media Specialist at Pleasant Grove Elementary School. Following retirement, Linda continued serving students as a volunteer reading tutor in local elementary schools.

Linda was a loving mother and proud “Mimi,” caring tirelessly for her three daughters—Lee Carol, Courtney, and Leslie—and her eight precious grandchildren. She fostered close relationships with each of her grands and was a constant presence in their lives, showing up for games and performances, hosting sleepovers, and picking them up for “Cousin Round-Up,” which often included a trip to McDonald’s on the way to Wednesday night church.

Linda was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Pensacola. She loved the Lord and knew Jesus as her Savior. She reflected His love and grace in the way she lived her life and carried herself through life’s challenges. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir and part of the “Back Row Altos,” who could occasionally be caught cutting up during choir practice. Over the years, she also served in children’s ministry, taught Vacation Bible School, worked as a church librarian, and more recently used her gifts in the floral ministry arranging flowers for homebound church members. She also served with the Royal Family Kids Ministry, participating in summer camps for children in foster care.

Linda enjoyed traveling, spending time in her garden, and gathering with dear friends to play bridge and bunco. She was blessed with a treasured group of girlfriends who cared for and walked alongside her through every season of life.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby Lee and Sterlin Denton, and her brother, Hank Denton of Dallas, Texas.

She is survived by her three daughters, Lee Carol Meads (Steve) of Birmingham, Alabama;

Courtney Griffin-Elliott of Pensacola, Florida; and Leslie Hutcherson (Shawn) of McKinney, Texas. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Gray and Mallory Meads; Griffin and Hannah Davidson; Benjamin Elliott; and Harper, Spencer, and McFerren Hutcherson; as well as many lifelong friends from church and her beloved “Bunco Babes,” with whom she shared years of friendship, laughter, and travel.

Linda was fiercely independent, fun-loving, patient, and a little stubborn too. What we will remember most, however, is her kind, sweet, and sassy spirit. She taught us what it means to show up in life—even in seasons of pain—and to do so with hope and a beautiful smile.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held on Friday, May 1, in the Pleitz Chapel at First Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. The family will host a visitation at 1:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to express sympathy consider a donation to the Arthritis Foundation or the Royal Family Kids Ministry at First Baptist Church of Pensacola.

The family would like to offer a special word of gratitude to the staff at Summer Vista Assisted Living and Memory Care for taking wonderful care of Linda in her final days and to her dear friend, Carol Armour, who faithfully visited weekly and remained a loving and steadfast friend to the very end.