ALBANY — Linda Giddens Darrah, 66, of Albany, Ga., passed away on Nov. 4, 2017, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital after complications from a massive heart attack. She was lovingly surrounded by her husband, daughter, mother, and brother. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Byne Memorial Baptist Church. Dr. Kerry Reeves will officiate. Interment will follow at Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Linda lived the majority of her life in Albany, Ga., except for the time she and Marshall lived in Hamilton, Ga., to be near her daughter and grandson. She was a lifelong member of Byne Memorial Baptist Church.

Her love of the mountains and bluegrass music led her to attend college at North Georgia State University in Dahlonega, Ga., where she received a degree in English/journalism. She then received her six-year teaching certificate from Valdosta State University.

She taught English literature for 30 years in the Dougherty County School system and particularly enjoyed her years teaching the gifted program.

Upon retirement, her energies shifted to spending time with her grandchildren who lovingly call her Mam.

Always a voracious reader and lifelong learner, she was especially proud of her daughter earning her doctorate degree. Other hobbies of Linda’s included cooking and traveling with her husband, and she was an antique connoisseur. She loved decorating her home for Christmas where it was not unusual for her to have a “theme tree” in every room.

Her love for Alabama football came about after her two nieces, Casey and Kelly, attended the University of Alabama. On any fall Saturday you could find her in her BAMA jersey cheering “Roll Tide Roll.”

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert O. Giddens, and father-in-law, Harold Darrah.

Linda leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her husband, Marshall Darrah; mother, Frances Giddens; brother, Tom Giddens (Carol); daughter, Dr. Quinn Wulff (Chris); stepdaughter Denise Butler (Jamie); stepson Adam Darrah; nieces, Casey Giddens Miller (Stephen) and Kelly Giddens; her mother-in-law, Louise R. Martin; her sister and brother-in-law, Patsy Darrah (H.P. Ritch); brother-in-law Daniel Darrah; and grandchildren, Quinn Roper, Brandon Butler, Darrah Butler, Gabriella Darrah, Lia Darrah and Ally Darrah.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Byne Memorial Baptist Church.

Those desiring may make contributions in memory of Linda to Living the Legacy c/o Byne Memorial Baptist Church, 2832 Ledo Road, Albany, GA  31707.

To sign our online registry or to send condolences to the family, you may visit Mathews’ website at www.mathewsfuneralhome.com.