Linda Kay (Fanning) Brown

Linda Kay Fanning Brown was born on July 26, 1958, in Malvern, Arkansas, to Catherine Wright Fanning and Jeff Barker Fanning. She peacefully entered eternal rest surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of faith, perseverance, kindness, and unwavering devotion to family.

Linda spent her formative years in Malvern, where she was deeply rooted in church life, attending First Baptist Church and Bethel A.M.E. Church. From an early age, her faith was nurtured through Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, laying a foundation that would guide her throughout her life and bless generations to come.

She attended Tuggle Elementary School, Pratt Elementary School, Malvern Junior High School, and Malvern High School, graduating with the Class of 1976. During high school, Linda was a proud member of the Malvern Leopardettes Pep Squad. She went on to attend Ouachita Baptist University before transferring to Capital City Business College, where she earned her Associate’s Degree.

Linda built a strong and respected professional career, holding administrative roles with the Arkansas State Capitol Tax Board in Little Rock, Rice University in Houston, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Miller Brewing Corporation in Milwaukee, Southwest Airlines in Little Rock, Dr Pepper and Menlo Logistics in Plano, and Associa in Richardson. She was known for her strong work ethic, loyalty, and commitment. If Linda took on a responsibility, it was done with excellence, integrity, and care.

Above all, Linda’s greatest pride and most meaningful achievement was her family. She poured herself into raising and supporting her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, always placing their needs above her own. Despite financial hardship, personal loss, and health challenges, she persevered through adversity with grace and unwavering faith. By the grace of God, she always found a way forward.

Linda was an overcomer. Though small in stature, she was fearless in spirit and never hesitated to advocate for herself or for others. She defended her loved ones fiercely, forgave quickly, held no grudges, listened with compassion, and spoke with wisdom. She had a rare gift for comforting a room. You could not help but smile when you saw her, and you always felt seen and cared for in her presence.

Her faith was alive and deeply personal. She loved God sincerely and faithfully read her Bible, often moving from chapter to chapter in quiet devotion. She made sure her children were in church, planting seeds of faith that continue to grow through her children and grandchildren as they pursue their own walks with Christ. Her life was a living testimony of service, humility, generosity, and love.

Linda never met a stranger. She was empathetic, caring, and selfless, always willing to help, encourage, or simply show up. She was a cheerful giver, known for buying meals, sharing what she had, and putting others first. Even in moments of stress or illness, she was quick to apologize, quick to love, and always mindful of others.

She loved family fellowship, laughter, and togetherness. One of her favorite pastimes was playing Left, Right, Center, a game she enjoyed for many years. She was an avid television fan who faithfully followed Dallas, Dynasty, Knots Landing, and The Andy Griffith Show, later developing a love for ID Mysteries. She especially enjoyed The Walking Dead, often hosting watch parties that brought family and friends together in laughter and fellowship.

Linda had a great sense of humor and loved old school R&B, the Wobble, catfish, and cooking for those she loved. She was legendary for her spaghetti, dressing, potato salad, and chili. She also loved telling stories, some heartfelt and some hilariously unforgettable, that her family will cherish forever. Every now and then, she enjoyed playing a lighthearted prank just for fun.

She enjoyed traveling and treasured trips to Hawaii, California, Washington, D.C., New York, and cruises throughout the Caribbean. In her later years, Linda resided at The Emerson, where she found a meaningful sense of community and connection.

Linda was also a devoted wife to Stevie Brown during her years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Catherine Wright Fanning and Jeff Barker Fanning, and her beloved sister, Alfrena Butler.

She is survived by her cherished aunt and family matriarch, Betty Wright Nash of Rolling Hills Estates, California; her son, Christopher Fanning and wife Brandy of Little Rock, Arkansas; her daughters, Janice Coleman and husband Albert of Turrell, Arkansas, Ida Mickey and husband Garren of Pearland, Texas, and Tanisha Ricks and husband Brandon of Plano, Texas; her grandchildren, Caleb and Ariah Fanning, Asya Williams, Allen, Alex, and Jasmine Coleman, Zafan Mickey, and Jaidyn, Azariah, and Zoey Ricks; her sisters, Suzanne Harvey and Beverly Lofton and husband James; her beloved niece and little sister in heart, Carla Butler Rose and husband Lamar; her nieces, Jennifer and Niquelle Harvey and Rachel and Olivia Lofton; her nephews, Michael Harvey, David Lofton and wife Emily, Daniel, Jaxon, and Samuel Lofton; many cousins; her Texas family; in-laws, Florence and Byron Ricks and Kenya Freeman; her dear friends, Vanessa Baines, Regina Ferree, Mary Fleming, Kenny Landi, and Tanya Porter; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Linda’s spirit will live on through the memories she created, the faith she planted, the love she gave so freely, and the countless lives she touched. She now enters her well-deserved rest, hearing the words she lived by: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

All are welcome to join us via live stream on this memorial page at

11:00 AM on FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026,

as we celebrate the life of our beloved Linda. Click the link below:

Celebration of Life for Linda Kay (Fanning) Brown

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