Linda Marie Hembree Chastain

Linda Marie Hembree Chastain, age 85, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, wisdom, education, and adventure that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Born on July 25, 1940, Linda lived a life devoted to her family, her students, and the pursuit of knowledge. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia, she dedicated her career to teaching Advanced Placement English to 11th and 12th grade students at Jonesboro High School and North Clayton High School. She believed in the power of education and challenged her students to think critically, write passionately, and appreciate the beauty of literature. To generations of students, she was more than a teacher—she was a mentor, an encourager, and someone who genuinely cared about their success. Long after graduation, many continued to remember the lasting impact she made on their lives. On June 20, 1960, Linda married the love of her life, Thomas Dewey Chastain. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and unwavering support for one another until his passing in 1989. Though widowed at a young age, Linda’s strength, grace, and resilience carried her through the years, and she continued to pour her love into her family and those around her. Linda possessed an adventurous spirit and a deep appreciation for the world around her. She found great joy in traveling, with Africa, Germany, and Hawaii holding a special place among her favorite destinations. Whether discovering new cultures, admiring breathtaking landscapes, or sharing stories from her travels, she embraced every opportunity to learn and experience something new. Above all else, Linda treasured her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest happiness came from watching her family grow. Her home was always filled with warmth, encouragement, laughter, and unconditional love. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 29 years, Thomas Dewey Chastain. She is survived by her daughters, Catherine “Cay” Lowery and her husband, Mark Lowery, and Kim Lee and her husband, Kinne Lee. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Thomas Lowery and his wife, Heather; Kalynda Schock and her husband, Gary; Austin Lee; Sarah Lee-Hinde and her husband Richard; and Rebekah Lee. Linda was the proud great-grandmother of seven great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter, each of whom brought immeasurable joy to her life. Linda will be remembered for her intelligence, gentle spirit, unwavering kindness, and quiet strength. Whether in a classroom, on an adventure across the world, or gathered around the table with those she loved most, she made every place brighter simply by being there. Her legacy lives on through the countless students she inspired, the family she adored, and the many lives she touched with her compassion and generosity. Though her family mourns the loss of an extraordinary woman, they find comfort in knowing that her love, wisdom, and example will continue to guide them for generations to come. Funeral services for Linda will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 11 o’clock in the Chapel of Parrott Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at Parrott Funeral Home and Crematory.

Linda Marie Hembree Chastain

July 25, 1940 - July 18, 2026