December 12, 1940 - August 4, 2025

Linda White Kennedy Popplewell (84), beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025 in Murfreesboro, TN. Linda was born and raised in Ninnekah, Oklahoma. The daughter of a farmer and an educator, and older sister to 4 brothers, she learned to hold her own at an early age. Those skills served her well as she took to the classroom herself, where she spent decades inspiring the love of music in young hearts and minds as a music educator. She will be remembered for her bright smile, sweet spirit, strong faith and red velvet cake.

Linda had a servant's heart; she was always looking for an opportunity to give back to her community. She was a fixture as a pianist, leading Sunday School classes and directing children's choirs in her many church homes. Linda's faith was a cornerstone of her life, and it was the intersection of faith and music that brought her to meet the love of her life, Dale Edwin Kennedy. Dale, of Chickasha, Oklahoma, was leading music for a church revival where Linda was the pianist, and the rest, as they say, is history. They married in 1959 and raised three children in five states, moving as Dale advanced in his career as a band director, touching many lives along the way.

After Dale's passing in 1987, Linda continued to live and teach in Columbia, Missouri. She was active in her community, providing language tutoring for immigrants, meals for those who needed them, a voice in the church choir and her piano skills wherever they could be a blessing. Linda has always been a prayer warrior for her family and others, and in 1995, she spent a year in Russia, serving as a missionary.

Linda rekindled a friendship with a family friend, Larry Popplewell, after his wife died. Their relationship quickly grew into love, and in 2004 Linda and Larry married and she moved to his home in Dallas, TX. Larry's daughters Tara and Melanie became very dear to her and the joining of their families was a great blessing.

In 2018 after Larry's passing, Linda moved to Murfreesboro to be closer to her children. Her memory diminished, but her spark never did. She was loved by all who knew her, and the wonderful staff at Adam's Place Residential Facility often remarked on her kindness.

Linda is survived by Kristina (daughter) and Donald Skor, Kathleen (daughter) and Todd Waldecker, Randall (son) and Cindy Kennedy, and her grandchildren, Seth Waldecker, Daniele Skor, Ben Waldecker, Anna Waldecker, Cole Kennedy, Will Kennedy, Kate Kennedy and Brooklyn Kennedy, as well as brothers Dennis, Bill, Duane and Jerry White and their families.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 15 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 1267 N Rutherford Blvd in Murfreesboro, TN. A private burial will be held in Chickasha, Oklahoma on Saturday, August 30, followed by a time of remembrance and fellowship from 3:00 - 5:00 at the First Baptist Church in Chickasha, 324 West Colorado Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, The Navigators ministry or a charity of your choosing.