Linda Hope Cox

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Linda Hope Cox, at the age of 81, on January 14, 2025. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, educator, and a woman of unwavering faith, who touched the lives of so many. A memorial will be held at Grace Community Church, located at 9400 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, LA 71106, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025. The doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and the memorial service will be followed by a Celebration of Life in the Grace “Warehouse” on the church campus with food and fellowship for those who wish to visit with the family.

Linda was born to Herman Clegg Hope and Lonnie Belle Hope January 23, 1943, and raised in Shreveport, living some of her formative years in Cedar Grove on 70th Street. She attended Cedar Grove Methodist Church where she began sharing her love of music by playing the organ in her early teens. She attended C.E. Byrd High School and Centenary College, where she again found a way to fill her love of music and worship through the Centenary Choir, often sharing beautiful memories of these experiences and the powerful relationships she built throughout. She acquired her master’s degree through Louisiana State University in the 70’s. She was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Regina White and Cindy Smith, whom she cherished deeply. This familial unit labeled themselves “The Three Musketeers” early on and most recently had the blessed opportunity to share the “Musketeer” adventures with her around the hospital bed. Despite the challenges she faced as a single mother, she provided a loving and nurturing home for her family, always placing her daughters at the center of her life.

A lifelong educator, Linda dedicated her career to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning. Her 36-year commitment to education in Caddo Parish Schools and her students' well-being left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of being taught by her. She first did her student teaching at Forest Hill Elementary before being officially hired as a fourth-grade teacher. She then taught at A.C. Steere Elementary and Linwood Junior High School, where she was then promoted to administration as Counselor, Assistant Principal, and ultimately, Principal. She served as Principal at Linwood Middle School in the early 80’s and later retired as Principal from Southern Hills Elementary in 2000. During this time, she was sought after and served 18 years as an adjunct professor at LSUS teaching Reading Content Skills for Secondary Teachers. All of her colleagues who worked with her or for her can attest to her dedication and God-given ability to lead others with a refined grace, expert knowledge and admirable strength and dignity. Her students, even those she had to discipline, had the utmost respect for her. It was customary on family outings to have generations of students acknowledge and recognize her, even 36+ years later, only to thank her for the impact she made in their lives. Linda, for the past 10 years, worked holidays with her son-in-law, William, at HoneyBaked Ham, where she not only became a part of the HoneyBaked family, but won over the customers with her infectious smile and empathetic heart.

Linda had a profound love for her five grandchildren (Madalyn, Garrett, Abigail, Anna Leigh and Harrison), with whom she shared a special bond. She was actively involved in their lives and always cheering for them in their various endeavors. Her dedication to family was a testament to her kind and generous spirit. These children, above all whom she deeply touched, will be forever grateful for the blessing of her in their lives.

Her strong Christian faith guided her throughout her life. She found comfort and strength in her relationship with God, and her faith was a source of inspiration to those around her. She found church families through First Methodist, St. Luke’s, Summer Grove Methodist, and ultimately as an active member of her Grace Community Church, where she was always ready to lend a helping hand and share her unwavering belief in God's love. She yearned for more knowledge of God’s word even in the last days of her life, and she spent a considerable amount of time both learning more and teaching of His love in Sunday School and small groups.

Linda will be remembered for her warm smile, her generosity, and her boundless love for her family, friends, community and most of all, music. Her legacy of kindness, faith, and dedication to others will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Her ability to connect people with music was her life’s blood. She was a member of the Centenary Choir and many church choirs over the years. She frequently hosted jam sessions in her home, played the organ for churches and weddings, and taught piano lessons. Music powered her through the ups and downs of life, connecting with her soul and creating boundless memories.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Herman Clegg and Lonnie Belle Hope and her brother, Barry Clegg Hope. She is survived by her daughter, Regina White and husband Jeff, daughter Cindy and husband William, grandchildren Madalyn White, Garrett White and wife Courtnie, Anna Leigh White, Abigail Simmons and husband Walker, and Harrison Smith. Also surviving and forever near and dear to her heart is her sister-in-law, Karen Hope, as well as her very special nephews, Eddie and Herman Hope.

The family would like to thank the pallbearers – Jeff White, William Smith, Garrett White, Eddie Hope, Herman Hope, Harrison Smith, Walker Simmons, and Patrick Oathout. We have peace in knowing she made it to Heaven and was greeted with a heavenly host, knowing her love and legacy will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those whom she touched. Her daughters, above all, are thankful for the blessing she was in their lives and for her continuous example of love in action, which she shared not only with them but also with everyone she encountered. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all those who wish to memorialize her life consider making donations to Centenary College Choir or Grace Community Church.