Linda Allen Rudder

Chattanooga, Tennessee - On October 22, 2025, Linda Allen Rudder passed away at home in North Chattanooga after nearly three years of courageously managing life with an incurable cancer. Linda was loved by many for her belief in every child's potential, her sense of social justice, and her persistence in making the world a better place.

Born on June 8, 1947, to Judge Earl and Lucy Blevins Allen, Linda grew up in Meigs County and attended Tennessee Tech University, majoring in Elementary Education and later earning a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Linda was a teacher for 36 years, teaching at Fairyland Elementary School (1976-2005) while raising her daughters, Katy and Sara. She loved reading to her students Where the Red Fern Grows and The BFG. In retirement, she became an active community volunteer, bringing her therapy dog Webster to CADAS and to schools for children to read to. She was a big sister for Big Brother Big Sister, a child protection educator for Children's Advocacy Fund, and for 25 years, a devoted activist to end gun violence.

Linda was the Tennessee State representative for the Million Mom March in 2000 and afterwards worked with Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. Linda was determined, continually educating herself and pursuing solutions like Be SMART that promotes responsible gun ownership to reduce child gun deaths. She courageously went into communities, talking with survivors and gun owners. Linda also volunteered for the League of Women Voters, supporting voter registration and educating the public on decisions that impact their lives.

Linda enriched her life with the arts. She loved music and dancing, Nightfall and Riverbend. She was inspired by Civil Rights era music, Motown, the Blues, artists like Etta James, Willie Nelson, and Sam Cooke. She enjoyed movies (A Walk on the Moon), TV series (Lonesome Dove) and PBS Masterpiece Theater. She loved arts fairs and decorated her home with paintings, photography, pottery and glasswork by regional artists, and for 24 years she was a dedicated member of a book club started at A Novel Idea Bookstore, leading a discussion as recently as last month. Some of her favorite books were Fair and Tender Ladies, The Correspondent, and Panchinko.

Linda is survived by her husband of 56 years, Boe Rudder; daughters, Kate Rudder and Sara Rudder Herring; sons-in-law, David Brigham and Brandon Herring; her four grandchildren: Miles and Danny Brigham and Elliott and Nicholas Herring; her sister, Gail Allen Schumpert (Chuck); sister-in-law, Alice Patterson (Marcel); nephew, Boyd Patterson and his wife Nancy; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends whose lives she touched deeply. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Charlotte, Doug and Jeanette; and her well loved and loving dogs. She is survived by her devoted doodle, Geordie.

A service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, October 27, from 2-5 p.m. at the Greenway Farm Conference Center. In memory of Linda, please consider making a donation to WTCI/PBS, Signal Center, or volunteering your time to any community issue close to your heart.

Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415, (423) 877-3524, lanefh.com