Linda Baker Merritt

February 28, 1943 - September 19, 2020

Linda Carole Baker Merritt,77, of Memphis Tennessee died in Memphis on September 19, 2020. Linda was born in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Charles W. Baker and Naomi Newman Baker. She graduated White Station High School in 1961, Memphis State University with a BA in Psychology, 1979 and received her Master’s Degree in 1981. She entered the Doctoral Program in Philosophy in 1996. Talented in so many ways, Linda had a passion for food and was always cooking or reading about cooking or talking about food – family favorites to macrobiotics to something she saw in a new cookbook. She enjoyed gardening and sharing her treasures with friends and family. Music was a particularly great talent, she played piano for 70 years. During the last week of her life she spoke about how she wanted to be remembered. Although she belonged to many clubs and had received many awards throughout her lifetime, she most wanted to share her passion for civic responsibility. She was a lifelong political observer and participant and she wanted people to pay close attention to the 2020 elections and that everyone should make the effort to VOTE. Her true wish was that you would vote BLUE. Those left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Heather E. Merritt of Memphis, two sisters Priscilla B. Butler, of Tiptonville, TN and Sally L. Baker of Memphis, and her most loved grandson, William Long of Nashville, TN. She also is survived by 5 cousins, 1 niece and two nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The American Heart Association. A “celebration of life” is planned for February 28, 2021.