Linda Marie Chavous' Obituary
Linda Marie Chavous was born to the union of Alfonso and Louella Fowler in Jackson, Michigan. She was the youngest of the six children born to their union. She graduated from Jackson Public Schools. She went on to Spring Arbor University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Linda (aka Linnie) married her childhood sweetheart, Albert Elgin Chavous, Jr. (aka Junie) when she was 18 years old. They were married 34 years before he transitioned in 2005. To their union two children were born; Albert, III and Tennile.
Linda was an entrepreneur and founded her own non-profit in the early 1990's that benefited children of drug dependent parents. Prior to that, she worked as a nurse's aide at Foote Hospital for many years. She taught college courses to prisoners at Cotton Correctional Facility, as a young professional and also spent several years as a youth specialist at Star Commonwealth. However, Linda spent most of her career working in non-profit organizations. Her last position was a case manager for veterans at Community Action Agency.
Linda was resourceful, had a caring spirit, a servant's heart and was always willing to give you the shirt off her back. She was passionate about the elderly, as well as ministering to and empowering the underserved. Linda retired over three years ago, yet she never stopped looking for ways to serve others. Linda enjoyed life, laughter, and long car rides. She treasured music and was a ballroom dancer, and loved dancing the hustle too. Linda enjoyed creating arts & crafts, painting, and adult coloring. Movies and shopping were her thing – and she was always able to negotiate a good price. She and her daughter, Tennile, enjoyed several activities together including spa days and solving crimes via CSI – they were undercover detectives together. Albert, III and his mother valued their long talks, and appreciated a good meal out together. Watching old westerns on television was one of Linda's favorite pastimes, which neither Albert, III nor Tennile liked, but entertained it to please their mother.
Linda thought she was a mini nurse, as evidenced by the many calls from her nieces, friends and family who would inquire regarding health advice and overall wisdom. Little did they know, that even if they didn't want or ask for her advice, she was giving it anyway. She enjoyed daily conversation with her niece/daughter, Dawn. They enjoyed trying new restaurants, their daily slushies together, and laughing uncontrollably. They looked out for each other and she was a constant source of love and support for Dawn. She enjoyed her friends, godchildren, and church family. She always referred to her close friends as sisters. Linda was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend.
Over the last several years before returning to Jackson, Michigan she lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her loving daughter, Tennile. She was a member of Way of Life Family Christian Center, where Jeffrey Boggan is the Pastor.
Linnie was preceded in death by her parents; Alfonso and Louella Fowler, her husband; Albert Elgin Chavous, Jr., her siblings; Patricia Ann Harrell, James Arthur Fowler, Alfonso Fowler, and Sandra K. Fowler.
Linnie leaves to cherish her memories her son; Albert, III of Springfield, Ohio, her daughter, Tennile of Kalamazoo, Michigan, special sisters; Diane, Shelly, Jeanette, and Gail, as well as several nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
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