Linda Faye Smith was born on June 21, 1955, to Jessie J. Young in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she spent her toddler years. Along came a man named A.J. Jones, who would become her father and turn her into a true “girl dad,” a role he carried proudly throughout his entire life.

Faye lived in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and eventually settled in Kansas City, Missouri. She was baptized at an early age by Reverend Higgs at Bethel Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. Bethel Baptist Church remained her church home before she began attending services in Kansas City, Missouri. Although Faye didn’t have a permanent church home later in life, she often attended Sheffield Life Center and would happily say, “Church was good today.”

Linda was educated in Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools and attended King High School, where she was a proud member of the dance team. Faye spent much of her youth with her best friends, Rosie Ervin and Angie Stovall. They were always together, enjoying their young lives. During her teenage years, Faye experienced seizures, which eventually became controlled. After the birth of her first daughter, Linda K. Smith, in 1972, the seizures stopped completely. Faye later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to build a life for herself. There she met a man named Robert, and in 1974 she welcomed her second daughter, Robin. While living in St. Louis, she worked at a bar and nightclub, where she met Constance, who became a dear friend. Faye would later meet her lifelong love, Mr. George Grace. Together, they relocated back to Kansas City, Missouri, where they built a life, and in 1978 she welcomed her third daughter, Marquita. Faye loved going to church, cooking, family gatherings, bingo, the casino, fishing, playing a good game of spades, and listening to good music whether Gospel, Blues or R&B. She often talked about the serenity she felt sitting on the banks of the water while fishing, but once she got home, it was time to scale, gut, and clean that fish for a meal.

Faye didn’t spend much time worrying; she prayed and moved forward. She always made time for her grandbabies and great‑grandbabies, wanting to be close to them, learning, teaching, and spreading love. They lovingly called her “Maw Maw.” Faye never met a stranger and everyone she encountered felt welcomed in her presence. She always offered caring, loving, and kind words wherever they were needed.

She often spoke about her grandchildren with joy and pride. Even when they were going through difficult times, she felt it deeply and prayed for them. As adults, we could never convince Faye to travel by plane or take a cruise. She would say, “Daddy said if God wanted me to fly, He would have given me wings. And I’m not getting on that big ship because Daddy said I can’t drink that much water!” She often quoted the sayings her father taught her and lived by them. Faye was a big sister to the entire neighborhood and to the friends we made along the way. She will be deeply missed.

Faye was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend. We will miss her, but we will see her again. When this life is over, we will sing and shout, Amen.

Linda Faye was preceded in death by her spouse George Grace, Parents: AJ Jones & Jessie J. Jones, Siblings: Rosie Smith and Gregory Jones, Son-In-Law Richard King, Sr.

Linda Faye is survived by her daughters: Linda K. Smith, Robin Jackson and Marquita Grace-King, Bonus sons: Don Baylor and Derrick Thomas, Siblings: Charles Jones, Jeffrey Jones, Pamela Jones and Kari Brown (Leland Brown, Sr.), Grandchildren: Kee’Octea, Paris, Richard II, Markis, JaCarri, Kierra, Lanyla, Kameron, Jamie, Ja-Kayra, Great Grandchildren: Walter II, Kingston, Journey, Naeori, Journei, Markis II, Zephaniah, Auntie Louise of Kansas City, Kansas, and The Grace Family of Meridian, Mississippi.