Linda Wilson Graves, Age 71 of Starkville, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at her home on April 8, 2023. Linda was born on October 16, 1951, in Natchez, Mississippi. She was the oldest of four daughters born to the late C.L. Wilson and Peggy Wilson. She grew up in Jackson and graduated from Forest Hill High School. Shortly after graduation, she married Jody L. Pennock, Sr., the father of her children, Cher Crowley and Jody L. Pennock, Jr. She later married Larry H. Graves, Sr. and moved to Starkville, where she worked as the Business Operations Administrator at the Social Science Research Center for over 33 years until her retirement in 2017.
Linda had a unique talent for decorating, and her home was always lovingly adorned for every season. She paid great attention to the fine details and treated her frequent visitors to beautiful experiences. Her decorating skills sometimes led her children to compare the house to an art museum. Linda’s other hobbies included her grandchildren, antiquing, shopping, and being a super Amazon Prime member.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Larry Graves, Sr., and her sister Joanne Wilson Hartley.
She is survived by her daughter Cher Pennock Crowley (Cliff) of Starkville; her son Jody L. Pennock, Jr. (Kate Scott) of Tunica; her stepsons Larry Graves, Jr. (Robin) and Lawson Graves (Joy), all of Starkville. She is also survived by ten grandchildren who knew and loved her as Mimi — Connor Reinike, Wesley Graves, Tanner Graves, Jordan Crowley, Georgia Pennock, Sessions Pennock, Harper Crowley, Thomas Graves, Hannah Cate Crowley, and Piper Graves. She also leaves behind two sisters Dianne Robertson of Ridgeland and Patricia Hammons of Brandon, and the father of her children Jody L. Pennock, Sr.
A chance meeting brought Renee Vance into Linda’s life. Renee became much more than a caregiver and will forever remain a treasured part of the family.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 12 from 11:00-1:00 at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville with a service to follow at 1:00 in the funeral home chapel. In honor of Linda’s love of life and beautiful colors, please feel free to dress accordingly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to Starkville Academy (505 Academy Road, Starkville, MS 39759) or Tunica Academy (584 Academy Drive, Tunica, MS 38676).
