Mrs. Linda Jane Brown Addison, 81, of Gastonia, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at the Robin Johnson House with her husband James and daughter Heather by her side. She was born December 29, 1942 in Gastonia, a daughter of the late James Cecil and Mabel Edith Gardner Brown.

Linda lived out her vocation as an educator, administrator, and caregiver in a variety of roles and settings during her life. Professionally, after initially working as an assistant executive secretary she went on to enjoy a long, successful tenure as an elementary teacher assistant with Gaston County Schools. Regarding her formal faith-based commitments, Linda was a longtime, active member of First United Methodist Church of Gastonia where she served as a past chancel choir member, choir mother, Sunday School teacher, youth advisor, member of the church administration board, United Methodist Women (UMW) past president, circle chair, hospitality board chairperson, and as a volunteer church receptionist. Her additional community engagement includes her previous membership and work with the Jaycettes, the Optimist and Jr. Women’s Clubs, and as past president of her local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA).

Undergirding and woven through these formal, public roles was Linda’s most important, impactful, and powerful calling as a caregiver which she lived out in her vocation as a loving and creative wife, mother, “Grandmama,” extended family member, friend, and neighbor. Throughout her life Linda relentlessly sought out personal, practical ways to remind the people she loved, and those around her dealing with various crises, that she and God cared for—and were standing by—to support and lead them. She loved butterflies, her dachshunds, and sharing time and table fellowship with her family.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her sister, Shirley Ellen Jones Hobschaidt.

She is survived by her caring and devoted husband of 51 years, James Harley Addison, III of Gastonia; daughter, Heather Michelle Addison-Breese of Gastonia; son and daughter-in-law, James Ridgeway Addison and Sarah Scherschligt of Hopkins, MN; granddaughters, Magdalene Suzanne Addison and Lydia Sarah Ruth Addison; brother and sister-in-law, James Samuel and Kay Brown of Gastonia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Linda’s life and faith will be held at 4:00pm, Monday, April 29, 2024 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Melissa Lowe and Becky Greene officiating. A reception will follow the service in Gunter Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Building Fund, PO Box 218, Gastonia, NC 28053, www.fumcgastonia.org.

Condolence messages may be shared at www.McLeanFuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Mrs. Addison