Chatsworth, GA - Linda Ganelle Lunsford, age 79, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, May 28, 2026 at Murray Woods.

Linda leaves behind a legacy in the community as a lifelong educator. She was a baccalaureate graduate of Tift College before attaining Masters and Specialist degrees in English secondary education at The University of West Georgia. She began her career as an educator at Murray County High School, where she taught English, literature, and theater for over 30 years. She also taught classes at Rhinehardt College, Dalton State College, and Phoenix High School. Linda was passionately involved with theater at both MCHS and at the Dalton Little Theater. Her dedication to the craft led to the honor of Murray County High School co-naming the school's theater after her and her beloved colleague, Mr. Troy Beasley (Beasley-Lunsford Theater). During her career, Linda left lasting impressions on countless lives who remember her still today.

Linda was an avid reader, traveler, musician/song-writer, and animal lover. Her cats were her babies. She was also passionate about her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church in Chatsworth. She was also a member of The Happy Pilgrims for over 20 years where she co-wrote and performed songs about her Savior. In her later years, she led a weekly Bible study for fellow residents at Murray Woods.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Clinton & Irene (Ray) Lunsford, Brother & Sister-in-law Dan & Linda Lunsford, grandparents Sarah Ray, James & Mattie Lou Lunsford, aunts and uncles Aileen (Ray) & Bill Miller, Maxine (Ray) & John Plemons, R.C. & Marjorie Ray, Clebourne & Louise Lunsford, cousin Stuart Miller.

Survivors include her nephew, Daniel Lunsford; nieces, Leigh (Lunsford) Roshell and Derrick Roshell, Sarah (Lunsford) Turpening, Luann (Ayers Lunsford), and Phil Philyaw; great nephews, Tyler Rowland, Haydn Lunsford, Korbin Turpening, Logan Turpening, Todd Lunsford, and Tanner Philyaw; great nieces, Karlie Rowland, Bethany Lunsford, and Taylor and Seth Roach; great-great nephews, Bentley Roach and Winston Lunsford; great-great nieces, Willow Lunsford, Kinsley Roach, Presley Roach; first cousins, Bobby and June Lunsford, Sue (Ray) Swanner, Lisa Ray, Robert Ray, Johnny and Sheila Plemons, and Billy and Cindy Miller; best friend, Johnnie Ann Gaskill; extended family and many cherished friends also survive.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Murray Woods and Heartlite Hospice.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Ms. Linda Ganelle Lunsford will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Jackson, Rev. Andrew Bowen, and Mr. Tim Howard officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery.

A livestream of the service will be available on the Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory Facebook page.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth has been entrusted with the arrangements for Ms. Linda Ganelle Lunsford.