Linda Lee Wagnon Heard

Linda Lee Wagnon Heard, former Director of the Cumming Playhouse, passed away on March 8 at the age of 79. A native of Gadsden, Alabama, she proudly called Cumming, Georgia her home for many years. Linda served 28 years with the City of Cumming, retiring in 2018 as Director of the Cumming Playhouse. She worked tirelessly to preserve the town’s history, bringing to life creative projects including the Cumming War Memorial, the Heritage Village at the Cumming Fair Grounds, and the Cumming Playhouse itself. One of her most beloved productions was “Smoke on the Mountain.”

Linda graduated from Gadsden High School in 1965, where she sang with the Velvet Tone Choir and studied classical piano. She attended Jacksonville State University and Auburn University. Later in life, she sang alto with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus under the direction of Robert Shaw. A dedicated Christian from an early age, she was a longtime member of Coal Mountain Baptist Church.

Above all, Linda cherished her family. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with her whole heart and took great joy in teaching the younger generations songs about the love of Jesus. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Wayne Heard; her father, Albert Lloyd Wagnon; and her mother, Mini Lee Turner-Wagnon.

She is survived by her sister, Deborah Lenora Wagnon, and niece Georgianna Lenora Karina Wagnon; her sons, Jonathon Wayne Heard (Carlena) and Jason Lloyd Heard (Lisa); grandsons Hunter Heard (Lexie), Fisher Heard, and River Heard (Alexandra); granddaughters Nora Heard (Chase), Mikayla Morris (Justin), Zoe Heard, and Meghan Morris; great-grandsons William Heard, Finn Heard, and Kyro Weaver; and great-granddaughters Piper Heard, Willow Matheny, and Nevaeh Weaver, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.