Linnie Anne McCown

Linnie Anne McCown passed away tragically on July 4, 2025, at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. Linnie was born on January 6, 2017, in Austin, Texas and was a fifth-generation Austinite. She was the middle child of her two beloved brothers, Bates and George, and she loved her role as the only girl sibling of the family. From an infant, to a toddler, to a little girl, so many were in awe of her natural beauty. Her soft high-pitched voice, her little dimple, quick-wit, unforgettable giggle, and warm hugs made indelible marks on everyone she met. She lived her all-too-short life in Tarrytown, within walking distance of both her maternal and paternal grandparents’ homes. She attended Casis Elementary and was excited to be a third grader this coming school year.

Linnie loved Casis, and her cheerful and friendly nature added a vibrant energy to her school community that will be deeply missed and will stay in the hearts of all who knew her. Linnie strived to do her best and worked with quiet diligence. Though she faced the challenges of dyslexia, her determination never wavered. Her remarkable reading growth reflected her work ethic and resilient spirit. She was proud of her dyslexia and reminded her reading group that “If you’re dyslexic, that means you’re super smart.” Linnie was always excited to share when she mastered a new reading strategy in her Take Flight group, but was always humble and concerned for others that were still struggling. She comforted friends both in her reading group as well as the classroom. When she saw a friend struggling to read, she put her hand on their back and said, “It’s okay. We can read it together.” Linnie demonstrated an empathy beyond her years.

During her idyllic eight-year life, Linnie had an extraordinary way of making everyone feel special. At school, she cheerfully greeted others by name and gave sweet hugs to her teachers. She spoke volumes with her eyes, sharing joy and connection in her own way – which was usually followed by an adorably contagious giggle. She made a point to include everyone – many consider her their best friend. At recess, Linnie loved choreographing dances with friends, especially to Taylor Swift songs. She radiated a soft sunshine that made those around her smile and feel joy. To her family, friends, teachers and classmates, who feel so blessed and lucky to have known her, Linnie’s actions left a lasting reminder of something she deeply understood – that the most important thing in life is relationships with people, and Linnie loved the people in her life with all her heart.

Linnie’s artistic ability was exceptional, and her family would find new drawings and pictures that she had created taped around their house every day. Her main passion in life was dance, and she was constantly twirling around her house – practicing for upcoming performances, making up dances with friends, or learning the latest dance crazes and trends. She was beyond excited to dance her second year as a member of her competitive dance team, Tarrytown DanceForce, and as a new member of the DanceForce Dynasty Navy Hip Hop team. She looked forward to attending Stephen F. Austin High School, where her goal was to make the Austin High Red Jackets Dance Team, following in her aunt’s footsteps.

Linnie is survived by her loving parents, Callie Balagia McCown and Michael Madison McCown and her brothers, Bates (11) and George (3), and her precious dogs Obi and Ramona. She is also survived by her adoring grandparents, Tara and Steve McCown, and Linda and Jimmy Balagia; her devoted godparents Kade Tobiason and Ryan Zboril; aunts and uncles Amanda, James, Bo, and Lily Balagia, Angela and Patrick McCown, Nicki and Andrew McCown, her aunt “Sue Sue” Suzy Balagia, her great-grandparents Carroll and Carolyn Fuchs, and her many special loving great aunts and great uncles. She is also survived by her cherished cousins: Maddie, Jack, and Sam McCown; Clea, Gabe, Oceane, and Orion McCown; and Slade and Ryder Fuchs. She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, her beloved “GiGi” Sophia Balagia, “Papa” Jack Balagia, “Grandmother Ebbye” Ebbye Bollinger McCallister, “MoMo” Frances Gremillion, “DoDo” Maurice Gremillion, “Grandma Jean” Florence McCown, and “Grandpa Jim” James McCown. We take comfort in knowing she was greeted in Heaven by her loyal and treasured pup, Mabel the bloodhound.

Our family will be forever grateful to the search and rescue teams who faced extraordinary conditions to find Linnie and all of those missing following the Guadalupe River July 4th Flood. We cannot describe the outpouring of love and support our family has felt from our community of friends and neighbors, who have helped us cope with the loss of our sweet Linnie. We continue to pray for those still missing, and for their families.

A memorial service will be held at St. Austin Catholic Church on July 25th at 1:00 p.m. Our family requests that you wear pastels to reflect Linnie’s favorite colors and all the beauty she brought into this world.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in her honor to the newly created Love Like Linnie Fund , which will support many causes close to Linnie’s heart. For more information please visit https://austincf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=13276