Linda Holley

Our beloved sister Linda Lou Murphree Holley (Lulu), 73, went to her final heavenly resting place on Friday, February 11, 2022, peacefully from her home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lulu was born in Houston Mississippi on February 27, 1948, and was the first daughter of the late Charles Dee Murphree and the late Annie Jean Doss Murphree Alford.

Lulu was a 1966 graduate of West Point High School. After graduating high school Linda married the late Capt. John Anthony Holley of West Point. Relocating to California, they started their married life on military bases with the final base being in Germany. 

After Anthony was killed in Germany while training to fly a mission in the Vietnam Conflict, Linda returned to West Point and continued her education at Mississippi State University and received her degree in education. While at Mississippi State Linda became the Commander of Angel Flight, a women’s auxiliary supporting the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC).

Linda relocated to New Orleans where she fulfilled her love of children by teaching them as an elementary school teacher. She continued her education at UNO so that she could work with special needs children. She taught her beloved children at Lusher Charter School for over 35 years. Linda’s love of children was always evident. In all our family gatherings, you would find Linda on the floor with the children, usually wrapping them in Mardi Gras beads. Upon Lulu’s arrival the children would run to greet her with anticipation as to what was in the trunk of her car.

Linda had a heart of gold and was extremely generous in caring for her family emotionally, physically and financially when needed. She had a contagious beautiful smile and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. She was extremely creative and always dressed in a beautiful and fashionable style of her own. After our parents passed away she made sure our sibling bond never wavered even when five strong personalities met. Linda’s love and zest for life led her to “never meet a stranger.” Linda was a member of the First Baptist Church of New Orleans.

While living in New Orleans Linda met her longtime loving companion, Garnet Hardin. Linda and Garnet traveled extensively during their 30 years together. Once Linda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Garnet made all the necessary changes for Linda to remain within her home during her extensive illness, which included a loving team of caregivers.

Linda is survived by Garnet Hardin II and Garnet Munro Hardin (Aleksandra and their 2 children), her 4 siblings, Charlotte Messier (Bill), Debbie Anthony (David), Michael Murphree (Jack), Jeannie Johnson (Rodney) and by one niece and 6 nephews; Stefani Todd (Rick), Barry Replogle (Lynn), Michael Patterson (Claire), Joseph Johnson (Bett), Nicholas Messier (Sara), Michael Holley, Richard Holley; 5 great nieces and 4 great nephews and a host of cousins and friends. Linda has a close aunt, Virginia Ann Howell, who she followed around as her shadow after our father, Charlie, Virginia Ann’s brother, was killed.

We have to give our heartfelt thanks to her two special caregivers Ms. Sylvia Mark and Ann Herzog. Because of Linda’s sweet personality both of these women loved her unconditionally. They enabled Garnet to give her care that allowed her to stay in her home throughout her illness.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Capt. John Anthony Holley, her parents, Jean and Travis Alford, her biological father Charles Dee Murphree, her in-laws TS and Reba Holley, loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at West Point Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 11:00am, Saturday, March 5, 2022. Rev. Steve Howell will be officiating her service.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Jeannie Johnson’s home, 2386 Mhoon Valley Road, West Point MS at 12:00pm – 2:00pm following the service.

In lieu of flowers a memorial can be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://alz.org/.