Linda J. Brown Neil, 57, of Athens, died Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at her residence. A native of McMinn County and a resident here most of her life, she was a daughter of the late Carl Coleman and Peggy JoAnn Russell Coleman Brown. She was preceded in death by one brother, Russell Coleman; and one stepdaughter, Loretta Neil Weaver. She was a member of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church and the McMinn County Democratic Party Executive Committee.

Survivors include her beloved husband and best friend of 22 years, Jimmie "Jim" Neil of Athens; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dave and Kim Brown of Athens, and Capt. Charlie and Angela Brown of Palmyra, Penn.; one daughter and son-in-law, Julie and David Goodman of Englewood; three stepdaughters, Linda Neil of Atlanta, Ga., and Patricia Lankford and Erica Couch, both of Cleveland; 17 grandchildren, Cody, Chelsey, Anthony, Kayla, Desiree, Devin, Aleena, Matt, Shane, Jessie, Craig, Dani, David, Brandy, Debra, Tiffany and Angelina; four great-grandchildren; other survivors, the Rev. Ray Brown of Ten Mile, Paul Brown of Athens; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Ogle Wattenbarger and Ray Brown officiating. Burial will be in Sullins Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.