Linda Jean Roland Harrell

Linda Jean Roland Harrell, born July 4, 1956, passed away in Dallas on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in the company of her husband, three children, parents, sister, brother and devoted friends. She was a native of Baton Rouge, where she was christened and married in the First United Methodist Church. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1974 and attended LSU where she joined her mother's sorority, Delta Zeta. Following her graduation from Centenary College in 1980, she moved to Dallas. Linda then embarked on her true calling of devoted mother. She immersed herself into whatever schools and activities her children were then engaged, ranging from classroom mom and Cub Scout leader to football mom and Highlandette officer mom. The mere suggestion that a child of hers would enjoy less than an optimum experience would galvanize her into action. An accomplished seamstress with an eye for color and a talent for design, her children were always assured of original, hand-sewn clothes and extravagant Halloween costumes. Events in which she participated were always well decorated. Despite shuttling kids to two or three practices or rehearsals each day and numerous games and performances on weekends, her neighbors and friends knew she could always be counted upon in time of need whether it be the stray ride or errand or the care and feeding of those in need. Friends of her children always knew where they could come for a midnight feeding, which always included a large bowl of her legendary chips and queso. As her children grew, her activities revolved around Lake Highlands High School and later Texas Tech University, Ole Miss and the U.S. Naval Academy where she became the president of the Naval Academy Parents Club of North Texas. With her children "out of the house" she turned her maternal attention to our service men by becoming very active in the Lake Highlands Military Moms. She is survived by her husband, T. Michael Harrell; children, Michael Linder Harrell, Lauren Elizabeth Harrell and Ensign Robert Alexander "Alex" Harrell; parents, Robert Linder Roland and Betty Shirley Roland; brother, Robert Langford Roland, his wife, Erin, and their children, Ashley and Gage, all of Baton Rouge; sister, Sissy Roland Broome, of Kentwood; and aunt, Naomi Shirley, of Baton Rouge. Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge, on Friday, June 5, from 3 p.m. until memorial service and inurnment at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church - "The Future is Now" fund, 930 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 or a charity of choice.