Linda D. Mccrary

Linda Darnell McCrary, 73 of Columbus, OH, was born on April 11, 1949, in Holden, WV to the late Gilbert and Alice Rankin. Linda departed this life and entered her eternal heavenly rest on April 2, 2023.

In addition of her loving parents, she was preceded in death by her son; Kwann McCrary, brother Ralph Rankin, sisters; Claudia Rankin and Shirley Rankin.

Linda grew up in the small town of Holden, WV. To her family and friends, she was known as “Blondie.” She accepted Christ at a very early age and was a former member of the Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She graduated from Logan High School in 1967 where she was a member of the Logan High School Band, Glee Club, and other academic/social groups. As a band member, she participated in the 1964 Macy’s Day Parade as the Logan High School Marching Wildcats were the featured band that led in Santa Claus. This was a moment that she often spoke of and was so proud to share.

After graduating from high school, Linda moved to Columbus, OH where she lived for several years. It was here where she discovered her love for bowling, winning several awards with her bowling league. Amongst her love of bowling, Linda loved her BBQ, OSU Buckeyes, the color green, yard sales, QVC, gospel music, Charlie Wilson and the Gap Band, Anita Baker, Sunday cooking, board games with her sister Constance, her “numbers”, fish fries, and crafting. One thing that we could never figure out was her irrational fear of frogs. Mother could never explain this but could tell us hilarious stories of her altercations with frogs over the years. If you know, you know!

In 1983, Linda moved back to Holden, WV where she would raise her loving children. She would go on to work at Walmart where she was employed for for several years. You could find several people standing in her line simply because they wanted to see and speak with her. People often spoke of how she would greet them with that contagious smile of hers and make them feel so welcomed. She loved people and people loved her. Her heart was full of love and was so humble. Her legacy will continue on through her babies and family as we will forevermore celebrate a life well lived. Mother most recently expressed how much she just wanted to go to church. She often said that “I can’t wait to get well enough so that I can go to church!”.

Praise be to God that on April 2, 2023, the Lord came and took our mother to church on Palms Sunday to be with him in his holy presence forever.

Those left to cherish her memory until the happy, heavenly reunion are her daughters; Melika (Greg) Bayless of Columbus, OH, Kyna (William) Caines of Bridgeport, CT, Natasha McCrary of Bridgeport, CT, sons; Tracy (Tamlyn) McCrary of Columbus, OH, Jawanza (Jessica) McCrary of Charleston, WV, and Tayon McCrary of Huntington, WV, big sister; Constance (Eddie) Calloway of Indianapolis, IN, little brothers; Paul Rankin of Huntington, WV, and Michael Rankin of Coshocton, OH, grandsons; Darius Brewton, O’Neil Gill, Donovan Brewton, Cha’se Johnson, Anthony Cole, Malec Cole, granddaughters; Ikea McCrary, Shakerra McCrary, Janda DeJarnette, Kwan’Jnae McCrary, great grandchildren; Nova and Keyen Sutherland, Natalie Browning and Nylah Bradford, and special cousins that she considered more like sisters; Brenda Hawkins, Vivian Rankin, Theresa Burney, and Vickie White, special uncle; Robert (Bob) Lynch, and special aunts; Roenita Hairston and Sonya Rankin (New York), and a host of nieces, nephews and a host of cousins.

Visitation 11:00am and Funeral 12:00pm Friday, April 14, 2023 at Macedonia Baptist Church, 492 Oakwood Ave.

Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery.