Linda Ann Paulette James Ghormley, age 75, passed away at Conway Regional Hospital on May 7, 2023 while surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her sons Joseph Wilman Ghormley (Courtney) of Conway, Arkansas and Thomas Eran Ghormley (Lindsay) of Little Rock; five grandchildren, John “Jack” Ghormley, Josephine Ghormley, Jacob Titsworth, Joshua Ghormley, and Audrey Ghormley; her beloved sister Brenda “Kay” Hendrix of Prescott, Arkansas; a very special brother-in-law, Junior Hendrix, and a very special cousin, Faye Odom of Arcadia, Louisiana. She was proud of and deeply loved many special nieces and nephews, particularly Shannon (David) Henderson, Casey (Vanessa) Hendrix, and Jessica (Nick) Chalmers, as well as several great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilma Joyce Compton and Eli Thomas James; her sister Shirley James; her stepfather, Clyne Compton; her husband, Paul Douglas Ghormley; and a special friend, Stuart Leach.
Linda was born September 10, 1947 in Prescott, Arkansas. Linda was the second of three girls who included her older sister Shirley, who died as an infant, and her younger sister Kay. Linda’s father died suddenly when she was 15 years old, an event that had a lasting impact on her life. She and Kay were raised by their mother, Wilma, who later married Clyne.
Linda had polio as a young child, and this left her with lifelong medical issues, none of which dampened her faith or her positive outlook. She grew up in Prescott and graduated from Prescott High School in 1965. She earned her cosmetology license after attending beauty college in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Linda loved styling hair and making others feel beautiful. Her gift for gabbing also matched beautifully with her chosen profession. At the age of 20, she built and opened her own salon, Linda’s Hair Fashions, in Prescott.
Linda was set up on a blind date with Paul, whom she found to be handsome, funny, and a good hand at guitar picking. The two married in 1968 and initially made their home in the Bluff Springs community south of Laneburg, Arkansas. Linda and Paul had two sons, Joseph Wilman Ghormley and Thomas Eran Ghormley. The family moved to Prescott, Arkansas in 1984. After her husband’s death in 2002, Linda eventually moved to Little Rock and then Conway, Arkansas, to live closer to her sons and their families.
Linda considered family to be precious, and she made a point of keeping up with numerous extended family members. Her sister Kay, however, was her best friend, her constant confidant, and by her side until the very end. The two spoke on the phone every day and enjoyed sleepovers where they would stay up all night cooking, laughing, and reminiscing.
Linda loved sharing stories about growing up in Prescott and keeping her family up to date about people they may not have even met. She loved her sons deeply and unconditionally and was proud of the lives they built for themselves. She was loved by her daughters-in-law, Courtney (Osmus) Ghormley and Lindsay (Titsworth) Ghormley, and she claimed them as her own. Linda was an amazing “Meema” to her five grandchildren: Jack, Josie, Jacob, Joshua, and Audrey. She always enjoyed watching movies with Jack. She loved watching Josie playing in the school band. She loved reporting on Jacob’s progress in college and his career. She tracked Joshua’s Quiz Bowl and other school accomplishments with pride. She relished reading books to Audrey and reporting on Audrey’s
latest quotes and activities. She considered Abby Carmack an honorary granddaughter and adored their visits and long-distance correspondence. She took every opportunity to profess her love for all of them in person and in
Facebook comments.
Linda adored animals, and she was every family pet’s preferred person. She was an amazing cook, and she loved fried catfish, watermelon, and chocolate pie. She loved music, particularly traditional gospel, Roy Orbison, and Elvis Presley. Even though she could worry about others too much, she blew her family members’ minds when she took to riding across state lines on the backs of motorcycles in her late 60s.
Linda’s physical frailties and pain grew considerably over the years, but she never let them harden her outlook, dampen her faith, or make her bitter. She was sincere, gentle, loving, and kind beyond measure. All of us who had the good fortune of knowing the warmth of her open and caring heart are better for it and will miss her deeply.
Visitation is scheduled 1:00-2:00pm Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home in Prescott. Chapel service at 2:00pm with Bro. Jarod Hendry officiating. Interment to follow at De Ann Cemetery in Prescott, under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Homes-Prescott.
We also invite you to express your public condolences at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com or private Letters of Love at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com/page/letters-of-love.