Linda "Spice" Jackson LeBlanc

Linda Jackson LeBlanc of Jacksonville, Florida was born on October 27, 1951 in Washington, DC. She peacefully departed this life September 11, 2022 at the age of 70, surrounded by her loving family. Linda was the third child born to the late Leona Virginia Ramey and Calvin Harvey Fitz Sr. Linda was preceded in death by her loving husband, Larry LeBlanc, her siblings, Calvin and Leonard Fitz (Pat), and Madessa Joe.

The family later relocated to a farm in Clarksburg, MD, where Linda learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. Linda attended Catholic Schools and later graduated from Montgomery County Public Schools.

She married Shannon Gray Sr. and from this union two children were born, Gina Banning and Shannon Gray Jr. This marriage ended in a divorce. She later married Clarence Jackson Jr., and from this union one son was born, Kevin Jackson. In 1999, after her second divorce she met the love of her life, Larry LeBlanc in the Bahamas. Linda (Spice) as Larry affectionately called her shared mutual love and care for one another, interests, and faith until his death in July of 2021. They were both more than generous in the sharing of their gifts and joy with others.

Linda began her employment career working for the Federal Government, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Office of AIDS Research (OAR) for more than 30 years as a Senior Program Coordinator. She served as the primarily NIH official in the dissemination of HIV/AIDS information to underserved racial and minority communities. She also served as the coordinator for the International AIDS Conferences, traveling to many countries including, Africa, Paris, Japan, Amsterdam and other nations through-out the world, as well as the 50 states in the USA.

Linda cared deeply about what was happening in the Caribbean at a time when HIV rates were the highest in the world outside of Africa. She used her extensive outreach skills with national and international contacts to bring together a large, complex and diverse group of stakeholders from across the Caribbean to participate in several HIV/AIDS conferences throughout the Caribbean.

In 2011, before her retirement from the Federal Government, she was instrumental in facilitating the 2011 Caribbean Conference, “Strengthening Evidence To Achieve Sustainable Action”, held in the Bahamas. This conference brought together for the first time the entire Caribbean Countries including Puerto Rico, a US territory to discuss HIV/AIDS issues that were relevant to all of the Caribbean people that were infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. This conference was attended by more than 2000 participants from across the region that included researchers, health care and service providers, and people living with HIV/AIDS from the Caribbean. Speakers included The Honorable Donna M Christensen, US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institutes of Health for Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph, renowned activist and actress of television, film, and Broadway. At the closing of the conference, Linda received an award for her commitment, expertise and hard work in making this unprecedented HIV/AIDS conference a success. She received a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience for her dedication and her love for the people in the entire Caribbean.

Spending time with her family brought her much joy and happiness. She enjoyed creating family traditions for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and New Years. She also enjoyed reading, playing cards, working puzzles, people watching, traveling, collecting art, going to the casino and taking naps after taking care of her hyperactive son, Kevin. Linda was a loving mother and a doting grandmother. Spending time with her grandson Ryan from infancy to adulthood brought her great joy, even after he refused to enter into the gates of Disneyland Park, after a long trip to Florida!

Our beloved Linda leaves to cherish fond memories, three loving children Gina Banning, Shannon Gray Jr, Kevin Jackson (Letta), seven grandchildren Ryan, Keisha, Shannon Tre III, Shannon Trenton IV, Shannon Trevon V, Alyssa and Bella Gray. In addition, she is survived by five great grandchildren, countless nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and her forever sister Rita Gant (James).

Linda personified love. Her love is a testament of her faith in GOD, family and for people. She was kind, gentle, compassionate, sincere, and faithful. She touched many lives. She will be truly missed.

A memorial service for Spice will be held Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223.

Livestreaming to begin at 1:00 PM, https://youtu.be/bYx7MiKdhqg

Please use the link to join.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the LeBlanc family.