Linda Ann Carter

She was born February 24, 1939 in Tift County Georgia at her family farm. She is preceded in death by father Chesley Columbus Powell, mother Julia Elizabeth Gay Powell; brothers James Henderson Powell Sr., Chesley Columbus Powell Jr., and Albert “Sonny” Lee Powell; sisters Alice Iola Powell Newton, Laurene Powell Shore, and Joyce LaFaye Powell Palermo. She is survived by husband Roy Duane Carter, sons Brett Powell Carter and Bart Duane Carter; daughters-in-law Marcia Sossamon Carter and Kim Hudson Carter; grandchildren Reece Carter (Sloan Carter), Campbell Carter, and Noah Carter (Ainsley Carter); great grandchild Rowan Carter; and many nieces and nephews.

She was born and raised in south Georgia and remained a Georgia girl at heart. Picking cotton and growing tobacco were mainstays of her farm life. She often told stories about her early life on the farm having many adventures, especially with her brothers Sonny and CJ. Tales of her brother's rescue horse “Champ” from the circus added entertainment to life on the farm as he would play “sick” on command. Summers spent at Aunt Shuggie's house fishing and spending time with her cousins were memories she always cherished.

She attended Queens College and graduated from University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She was a lifelong member of the Tri-Delta sorority. After graduation, she spent a summer touring through Europe. She began her teaching career in Blue Ridge, Georgia and then took a position near Atlanta for a short period of time before moving to Tennessee. In Knoxville, she taught at Alice-Bell Elementary, then Gibbs, Karns, and Holston High Schools. She touched so many young lives through her teaching and was always concerned about the welfare of her students.

She was a devoted wife to her husband Duane of 63 years and often referred to him as the “love of her life”. Their story began at West Fannin High School in Blue Ridge Georgia where they met after both accepted teaching positions. Linda and Duane had many adventures during their years together, raising two children, traveling across the country, and enjoying nature. She led an American Leadership Study Groups tour of Europe in 1982 that introduced students to the culture and history of the region. She was an excellent angler and caught her fair share of trout, bluegill and the occasional catfish. She was very meticulous about documenting every aspect of her family life and her eldest son once said she would have made a good field biologist or museum curator.

She always knew she was on this earth but not of the earth. Faith in her savior Jesus Christ was strong, and she demonstrated this in her everyday life. Her dedication to her family was unwavering, a constant force in their lives. She always said her most important missions in life were to glorify God, be with her family, and be a good example for her children. She not only did this for her children, but carried on with the grandchildren and blessed them throughout their years. She was always curious about people and was eager to share her life experiences and was always interested to hear others. She was a lifelong volunteer, including mission work on a reservation in South Dakota, at a church outreach camp in Alaska, 20 years at Ridgecrest Retreat Center, and lastly at Clear Springs Hope Mission House.

In the end, we all must make the journey across the river, but we want you to know what a wonderful life we've had for as long as you have been by our side and we love you so. Now put on your yellow pinafore dress, spread your wings, and fly over your field of yellow flowers.

-Your loving family

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to Atkins Baptist Church, 6115 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918.

Family and friends will gather Friday, November 6, 2026, at Greenwood Cemetery, 3500 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918 for a 1:00 PM Entombment Service officiated by Rev. A.C. Cooper. Fond memories and condolences may be shared with the Carter family at www.lynnhurst.com