Obituaries

Linda Fay (Perry) Whitfield, of Helena, Arkansas was born on October 22, 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late John L. Perry and Laura Wallace, as one of their ten children.

As the daughter of a sharecropper, her upbringing in Memphis just before the height of the Civil Rights Movement and desegregation of her elementary school, would inspire the little girl who grew up playing with corn cob dolls. Any drive up Hwy 61 or holiday dinner wasn’t complete until you had heard her recount stories of real lye soap, the one whipping she got from her father, John Perry (…she knew she was in trouble when he rounded that street corner and saw her friend using the bike…never again, she would say), jumping train tracks behind her house, and how not one ounce of any animal the Perry family butchered went to waste in their household. A lifetime of formative experiences were pivotal in the woman, sister, and mother she’d become.

After graduating from Central High School in Memphis, Linda began her college  journey at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. She later transferred to Memphis State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Shortly after graduation, she launched her career as a Revenue Agent with the IRS. But after moving “down river” to         Arkansas, Linda discovered what would become her true calling. What began as picking up a trade from a friend quickly evolved into a lifelong profession. She pivoted careers and went on to spend more than 25 years serving as a Certified Court Reporter in Arkansas’ 1st Judicial District. By all accounts, she wasn’t just good at it—she was the best court reporter in the state.

Linda was, at her core, a servant leader—a role she embraced from an early age and carried with unwavering commitment throughout her life, both politically and socially. She gave      generously of her time and wisdom, mentoring young people, especially young women, who needed spiritual guidance and educational support.

Whether in the grocery store, at a football game, or a local gathering, Linda never missed a chance to pour into the next generation. She would stop young people to ask about their grades, their college plans, or to offer a gentle correction when needed. To anyone who knew her, it was clear: she lived out the belief that it truly takes a village.

In her early years in Helena, Linda dedicated herself to community organizing—knocking on doors and working tirelessly on numerous political, judicial, and municipal campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. All of it was driven by one unwavering goal: to make her     community better. Having witnessed the transformative power of education in her own life and that of her family, she went on to serve for years on both the Helena-West Helena School Board and the board of the Boys and Girls Club.

For Linda, education was never limited to the hours between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. It was a full-time pursuit, woven into the fabric of daily life. From mandatory Mavis Beacon typing lessons at home to summer reading logs and book reports—and her consistent presence at every report card night—she instilled in her children a deep understanding: to be educated and Black in America is to possess something powerful—something no one can ever take away.

Faith in God—always striving to exude, teach and live a life marked by love, forgiveness, and     humility—was the bedrock of her life. From her dedication of her life as a child to her passing, God was centered. Linda’s service as a member of the New Light Baptist Church was embodied in her commitment to those same values. Her work as church secretary was just one of many roles she filled in rearing her children to be God-fearing people.

Linda was an avid reader and had a passion for traveling. Whether she was soaking in the magic of Paris, wandering through every corner of the Colosseum, or crisscrossing the U.S. with children in tow to attend each and every graduation of her children and grandchildren—she lived life with intention and joy. Her gifts, too many to name, extended far beyond her professional world. Ms. Whitfield was nearly a professional baker and cake decorator, and she found being a mom and grandmother as a vital contribution in helping to shape the lives of her children and those they would touch.

Ms. Whitfield departed this life on July 19, 2025.

Linda leaves her family to cherish her legacy: Victoria (Brian) Price, Sam (IV), Matthew, Nathan, Rachel, Elizabeth, Joseph (Shadey), and David. With her children she counts one of her greatest joys to be her five grandchildren: Brian Price, Jr., Blake Price, Matilyn Whitfield, Maliyah Whitfield, and Matisyn Whitfield, and a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Leroy, Priscilla, Kenneth, Grover and Robert Lee, and leaves behind one sister, Diane (Emerson), and three brothers, John L (Faith), David (Keva), and Anthony (Pam).