Linda Gail Buchanan

1954 - 2024

Linda Gail Buchanan was born on Nov. 8, 1954, in Athens to Robert K. Buchanan Sr. and Sarah Ann (Long) Buchanan. Linda went to be with the Lord on Aug. 15, 2024, at the age of 69. Linda is a graduate of McMinn County High School and a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree. Linda taught at local schools including E.K. Baker, Mt. View, Meigs County High School and McMinn County High School. Linda retired in 2016 from McMinn County High School, where she was lovingly known as "Miss B" by all students and co-workers. Linda loved her work as a teacher and used her teaching skills to touch many people's lives and create lifelong bonds. A longtime member of St. Mark AME Zion Church in Athens, Linda served as the Church Clerk and as a Trustee. She was also on the Steward Board and a member of the choir. She served as the former Young Adult Missionary Society Coordinator and was the current health coordinator of the Chattanooga District and a member of the local missionary society. She was a member of the local chapter of the NAACP. Linda touched many lives in the community by heading up the church food pantry. Linda loved the Lord and her service and devotion to her church family, friends, the community and her family was immeasurable. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Roy and Helen Long; and paternal grandparents, Cecil Hurst Buchanan and Roma and Sirlestie Buchanan. Survivors include her parents, Robert K. Buchanan Sr. and Sarah Ann (Long) Buchanan of Athens; sister, Frances (Tom) Holmes of Athens; brothers, Robert Kenneth Buchanan Jr. of Chattanooga, Eric (Valerie) Buchanan of Georgetown, Edwin (Bonne) Buchanan of Bowling Green Ky., Patrick "Pete" (Jayne) Buchanan of Cullowhee N.C., and Micah (Wynaka) Buchanan of Athens; and several loved nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Thursday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m. at Light of Life Faith Ministries International, located at 1112 Congress Parkway in Athens, with the Rev. Chris Eady officiating and the Rev. Tiki Dixon delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. at the church. Interment in Hammonds Cemetery will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the St. Mark AME Zion Church benefit account at Old National Bank, 106 W. Washington Ave., Athens, TN 37303. Checks should be made payable to "St. Mark AME Zion Church." Services of loving memory entrusted to M.D. Dotson & Sons Funeral Home of Athens.