Linda Carol

Linda Carol was blessed with three loving parents: Bertha Hutchinson Dean Grant, William “Honey” Grant, and Willie “Hank” Mack; who all have welcomed her home to her final resting place. Also receiving her into HIS kingdom are, as she would say her mother’s son, William (Butch) Grant, Jr.; two grandchildren, Jamelia and Jason C. Smith, Jr.; and her bonus granddaughter, Meloni Joi Smith.

Linda Carol was born and raised in the Detroit Metropolitan area. She was baptized and reared in the Unity Baptist Church at 7500 Tire Man Ave., Detroit, Michigan 48204 by the late Dr. Valmon D. Stotts, Sr., who affectionately called her his “angel child”!  Linda Carol remained a faithful committed member of the Unity Baptist Choir, until she relocated to Monroe, Louisiana.  Linda always loved singing in the choir. Some of her fondest memories were when she sang with the Unity Baptist Choir at the Ford Auditorium and Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit.  Linda graduated from Mackenzie High School. Although her parents had moved 20 miles plus from the school, she was determined to graduate as a Mackenzie Stagg. Therefore, she took the public bus back and forth to school for two years. She loved playing the violin and would often laugh about her mom making her practice in the garage. She was the Grant Girl that loved going to the football, basketball games, shooting pool, and always talking trash and making jokes!  Linda was next to the youngest, but everyone always thought she was the baby because she was definitely spoiled by all.

Linda Carol was always more hip and energetic, and knew what she wanted out of life.  After high school, she took some college courses, but decided that was not for her.  She had God’s favor early in life. She obtained and secured employment with the UAW Manpower Department, where she worked for approximately ten years.  She decided she wanted to give more and to somehow make a difference.  She was then touched by the angel, “The Late Sarah Jenkins,” who assisted her with obtaining a position with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She made the transition into mortgage banking.  She worked for HUD for approximately five years, learning all she could about mortgage loans and servicing.  Linda took her expertise to the private sector where she obtained a management position with Marathon Mortgage in Southfield, MI, where she remained gainfully employed until she relocated to Monroe, Louisiana.

Upon her arrival to Monroe, one of her many goals was to work at Troy & Nichols. Her mission was accomplished and seventeen years later she left a lasting legacy with the company known today as JP Morgan Chase.   Linda was proud of the fact that God blessed her to enter the company in management position under the leadership of Beth Newsom, who later promoted Linda to an Assistant Vice-President.  During her tenure at Chase, she was extremely proud of the mentoring program that she was involved with, where she was given the opportunity to travel to various Chase sites to mentor other employees.  She supported Chase in the community and received the volunteer of the year award in 2002 and was recognized in New York City for that accomplishment. In 2004, Linda received the Diversity Diamond Award.  Linda was the Co-chair for the WOCC (Women of Color Connection) Chapter here in Monroe, and founded the first WOCC Choir, where they performed for Black History Month, Christmas and other special occasions at the Monroe site.  Linda also made it possible for the choir to sing for the local Veterans home on holidays in an effort to give back to our military.  Linda worked briefly for the City of Monroe, until she was offered a position in management at Walmart’s Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Linda really missed being around her younger grandchildren, and relocated back to Monroe, where she became a certified substitute teacher for Morehouse Parish Schools.

Linda Carol and the late Thomas Earl Stoudemire, who proceeded her in death, were married. They brought into this world two of the most precious gifts that they ever received, Bertha LaShon Stoudemire and Earl Cantrell Stoudemire, Sr.   As life would have it, Linda Carol later met and married Freeman Smith, Jr., who also proceeded her in death. To this union, her third gift was presented: Jason Caleb Smith.   Linda Carol took extreme great pride in rearing her children. She did not send them, but took them church and ensured they were active in the youth department.   Later in life, she had her own little sayings. Shon was known as her "only daughter," and Earl and Jason were her "salt and pepper."  During her journey when things were a little rough, she was always proud to say, her children treated her like a Queen!  She often laughed and said the boys acted like they were her daddy and she was their child. They were extremely protective. 

Linda Carol was a very proud member of the Starlight Baptist Church, where the late Aubrey Smith, Sr., was the Pastor.  She loved Pastor Smith. He was a brother-n-law, a friend, a confidante, and a soldier for the Lord. They remained very close until his departing flight.  She was proud of the fact Pastor Smith baptized both her boys. She served in many capacities at the “Light” as a choir member, choir president, and secretary to name a few. Linda later went on to join the Smith family church home, Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, under the stewardship of A. B. Davis Johnson, where she remained a faithful member.  Linda often talked about how blessed she was to be instrumental in three churches moving into a new edifice: Unity, Starlight & Rose of Sharon.  As she continued to grow stronger in the word, and wanted more on Sunday’s, she would leave the Rose and head to Piney Grove Baptist Church in West Monroe, under the leadership of Pastor Lorenzo Price, where she called herself the “bootleg member”, she never moved her membership but supported both the Rose and the Grove.

Linda loved to have good clean fun and could turn any dull moment into a lasting memory.  She put the “T” in travel. She enjoyed life to the fullest!   WOW! She could shop until the cows went in the pasture and came back out.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren making sure she shared all she had with them.  Her sisters often said that she should receive the “Grandmother of the Year Award”!

Linda later met and married Joe E. Dorsey.

Linda Carol leaves cherishing her memories and legacy: her husband, Joe Dorsey; her three birthed children, her only daughter, Bertha Lashon Stoudemire of Detroit, Michigan; Earl Cantrell Stoudemire, Sr. (Lynea) of Bossier City, Louisiana; and Jason Caleb Smith, Sr (Jenae), of Monroe, Louisiana; her bonus children, Freeman Smith, III (Kandi) of Atlanta, Georgia; Michael Smith (Yolonda), and Shaniece Smith of Detroit, Michigan; three sisters, Mary Dooley, Delores Collins, and Francine Grant; the apples of her eyes - her grandchildren, Rachelle, Carol (Durwin), Toni & Daji (Shon’s blessings); Jasmine, Earl & Kordell (Earl’s blessings); Mya, Jaila, Joi, Jade (her miracle baby) and Justice (Jason’s blessings); Sydni (Quinton) & Randi (Freeman’s blessings); Micheal, Jr.(Michael’s blessings); and Toni, Antoince, Brianna & Tony, Jr. (Nicey’s blessings); nieces, nephews and host of friends from Detroit to Monroe and in northwest Arkansas; three great-grandchildren; and two special friends, Helen and Linda Fay.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda Carol, please visit our floral store.