Linda Maxine Hester Erwin, 79, of Cabot, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2021.  She was born December 5, 1941 in Beebe to the late Arthur Franklin and Alva Mae High Hester.  Linda grew up on the family farm in the Fairview area of Lonoke County.  She graduated from Lonoke High School in 1959, then OBU in 1962.  Linda was a beloved lifelong educator.  Her love for children was deep and evident in everything she did.  She began her career with the Lonoke School District where she was the Media Specialist.  Later she began teaching 1 ^st grade at Oak Grove.  Linda was also a lifelong active member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church.  In 1975, she started Mount Carmel Day Care Center beside her long-time friend, Linda Campbell.  Together they built a ministry that provided a safe learning environment for countless children in the Cabot community.  She eventually returned to the classroom at Ward Elementary and retired from the Cabot School District.  Even in her last days, the presence of children would put a smile on her face.

In retirement, Linda was constantly busy in her large garden, canning, shucking corn, doing yardwork and growing her beautiful flowers.  She could often be found playing a friendly game of cards or dominos.  Linda truly dedicated her life to helping others.  She regularly volunteered at the Cabot Senior Center helping others with health screenings.  Linda enjoyed sewing and making clothes for her grandchildren.  Linda and Calvin frequently traveled and enjoyed camping.  Every year the grandchildren would spend a week fishing and camping with Nana and Grandpa.  She touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Calvin Erwin; daughters, Karen (Dwayne) Webb, Angie (Danny) Joslin, Laura Ann Denson; son, Larry (Elizabeth) Erwin; nine grandchildren, Taylor, Morgan, Katie, Jenna, Callie, Hannah, Seth, Rachel and Tucker; two great-grandchildren, Owen and Aubrey; sister, Sandra (Doug) Mathis and many special lifelong friends.

The Erwin family would like to thank the staff and special caretakers of Greystone Nursing and Rehabilitation for providing great care during Linda's courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.  The family suggests memorial donations be made to www.parkinsons.org in memory of Linda Erwin.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Mount Carmel Baptist Church with Bill Duvall and David Mitchell officiating.  Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery.  Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, September 6, 2021 at Moore's Cabot Funeral Home.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.