Linda Merritt, 75, of Dahlonega, died Nov. 8, 2014.

Linda was born Feb. 22, 1939 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Claud Gibbs of Greenwood, Ark. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville, where she loved singing bass with the choir, teaching Vacation Bible School, and participating in JOY Club.

She especially enjoyed traveling around the country visiting family who knew her as Gran.

Linda was employed as the first woman Regional Credit Manager for both Pepsi Bottling Company and Siemens. After retiring from Siemens in 1997, Linda and husband, Bob, started the North Georgia Star magazine. After selling NGS, they started 400 Edition magazine in 2004 with daughter, Beth.

Linda enjoyed serving as editor/publisher until retiring in 2012.

Linda lived a life filled with love and joy. She loved singing with her daughters and from the time they could talk was teaching them how to harmonize the old time gospel hymns. She loved her Lord, family and friends and had a way of making those around her feel special.

Survivors include her husband, Clifford "Bob" Merritt of Dahlonega; daughters and sons-in-law, Rhonda and Thomas Bailey, Beth and Patrick Snider, both of Dahlonega, Lucinda and Douglas Loafman of Yukon, Okla., Judy and Robert Kurtz of Fayetteville, Texas; brother, Forrest Gibbs of Ft. Smith, Ark.; sister, Betty Gunn of Lawton, Okla.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

A celebration honoring Linda's life was held at 11 a.m. Nov. 15 at First Baptist Church of Dawsonville.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega was in charge of the arrangements.