Linda Jane Callahan Brown passed away at her home in Little Rock, AR, on October 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 17, 1947 in Oklahoma City, OK, to Eunice and William Callahan. She was a 1965 graduate of Putnam City High School. She graduated with honors from East Central University in 1977 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and again in 1985 with a Master’s degree in Counseling.

Linda lived in the OKC area, where her children were born, and in 1975 moved to McAlester, OK. She was a long time English teacher at McAlester High School and is remembered as a compassionate and caring educator. Prior to retiring in 2009, she ended her career as a senior counselor at McAlester High School, shepherding her students into the next phase of their lives with her calm and thoughtful guidance.

Linda married David Brown on July 29, 1994 in Booneville, AR. They enjoyed traveling, fishing, and spending time with their families. She is remembered by those who knew her as a kind, loving, sincere, and sweet person. Her passion was to help others through education and service to the community.

Linda lived her life with grace and quiet fortitude. She was a devoted and supportive mother to her children; she took particular joy in being part of the lives of her grandchildren, and they were equally dedicated to her. Her family will remember her as a wonderful cook, amazing seamstress, steady confidant, and lover of animals. Her lessons of unconditional love, joy of life, acceptance of everyone, and openness to new ideas will stay with them forever.

She is survived by her children, William (Tracey) Coe, and April (John) Coe Hout; grandchildren, Julia Jane Coe, Rachel Coe, William Hout, and Thomas Hout; nieces and nephews, Kathryn (Allen) Wadsworth, Nancy (J. Paul) Lane, Polly (Donald) Crawley, Amanda Winn Calaway, Jesse Lane, Alexandra Crawley, Joshua Lane, Caroline Calaway, and Cameron Calaway; stepson, Terry (Gayle) Brown, and step grandchildren, Michelle Brown and Nicholas Brown.

She was preceded in death by her husband David Brown; parents, Eunice and William Callahan; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Earl Albert; nephews, John Albert Baumert and Shawn Calaway; and stepsons, Brian Brown and Mark Brown.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Catholic Charities McAlester.