Linda Marie Carter

Linda M. Knight, 75, of Kansas City, Missouri, was born on August 4, 1950, to Ardelia Mae Tinson and Amos Knight. The oldest of six children, she was raised in a loving family shaped by the devotion of her mother, Ardelia Mae Brown, her father, R.T. Brown, and her biological father, Amos Knight. Together they gave her a foundation of love, guidance, and unwavering support.

Linda graduated from Central High School in 1968. On September 19, 1978, she married Morris Anthony Clay Sr., and their son, Morris Anthony Clay Jr., was born. He became her greatest joy and the center of her world. The marriage later ended. On May 22, 1982, she married Michael L. Carter Jr.; they were married for 24 years before that union also dissolved.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Linda accepted Christ at an early age and loved sharing the word with others. She was a longtime member of Greater Corinthian Church under Pastor Raymond Davis and later joined Friendship Baptist Church under Pastor James A. Terrance Jr., where she cherished Sunday worship, Sunday School taught by Dr. Blue and Minister Rickie Walker, and served faithfully in the Greeters Ministry. On December 11, 2022, she was baptized by her cousin, Rev. Atwood Williams Jr., in a special service at Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church as she rededicated her life to the Lord, surrounded by family and friends.

Linda worked at Mobile Oil Company and John Deere from 1969 to 1973, then began a 25-year career with SWB/ATT/Lucent Tech in August 1979, retiring in March 2003. She later worked briefly for Bukaty. She cherished time with her family, especially her daily conversations with her son Morris and the special bond they shared. Her grandchildren lovingly called her “Grandma Carter” and looked forward to her annual Thanksgiving dinners, family games, dining out, and her famous apple cobbler. She loved crab legs, sweets, traveling, dancing the two-step, playing Bid Whist and Spades, going to the movies, shopping, studying her Bible, visiting historic sites such as Union Station and the Negro League Baseball Museum, and cheering for her beloved Kansas City Chiefs. She lived with class, style, and a warm, caring heart, remembered for her radiant smile, genuine kindness, and love of life.

Linda began each week leading a Monday morning prayer call with her siblings, an act of devotion she took very seriously. She is survived by her son, Morris (Tamara) Clay; her father, Amos Knight; siblings Raechard (Rosalind) Brown, Stephanie Woods, Julia Brown, Phillip (Diane) Brown, and Vincent Brown Sr.; grandchildren Taylor Clay, Justin Clay, Mariah Clay, Skyla Clay, and Malaya Clay; godson Bryant Weems II; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other loving family members, relatives, and friends.