Linda J. Black, age 72, of Royal, Arkansas, died Thursday, January 2, 2014 in the National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs. She was born in Malvern on November 6, 1941 to the late Albert A. Black and Mary Belle Kemp Black. Reared and receiving her early education in Leola, she later completed her nurses training at St. Joseph Hospital in Hot Springs. She was employed by St Joseph for 25 years. Linda was an avid reader and loved to crochet. According to her family and close friends, she was a wonderful cook. Linda was a member of New Home Missionary Baptist Church in Royal.

She is survived by her daughters, Connie Draper and Jamie Bailey, both of Royal; by six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Janie Motes of Malvern.

Her funeral will be at eleven o'clock on Monday morning, January 6, 2014 at New Home Missionary Baptist Church in Royal with Brother Milton Paredes officiating. Interment will follow in Cunningham Cemetery under the direction on J. A. Funk Funeral Home of Malvern.

Pallbearers will be: Jonathon Lightner, Jason Rice, James Gatlin, Roy Gatlin, Danny Bailey, and A. J. Lininger.

Memorials are requested to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 904 Autumn Road, Ste. 500, Little Rock, AR 72211.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.