Linda Odessa Bandy, was born to the late Tim Davis and Laurene Davis on July 11, 1947, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.  She married in her early twenties and within that union had two children, Lynette Sherry and Charlene Nichele.

Linda received her formal education from the DC public school system, graduating from Anacostia High School. After graduation, she studied for and began her career as a Phlebotomist Technician working with Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, DC General Hospital and the neighborhood health clinics until her retirement. During the early stages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Linda proved herself to be an invaluable, fearless professional in securing life-saving testing necessary for doctors to help patients navigate through such a challenging physical and emotional time in their lives.  This same tenacity was also applied towards individuals managing active substance abuse.  Linda's creativity in this area, all while being subjected to verbal abuse and physical threats were unmatched. She was a dedicated District Government Employee for 35 years.

Linda was a very colorful, free spirit who was spiritually grounded and loved going to new places, experiencing new things, and meeting all types of different people.  She wasn't shy and felt very comfortable sharing her thoughts and ideals with anyone who would listen.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Tim Davis and her mother, Laurene Davis, her brother, Willie James Young and her daughter, Charlene Nichele Bandy. She leaves the following to cherish her memories: Lynette Sherry Shingler (daughter) and Earl E. Shingler (son-in-law); three sisters Anne Davis, Renà Foster, and Janie Davis, all from Charlotte, North Carolina; three grandchildren, Priscilla Nichelle Bandy, Daniel Xavier Walker and Chandler Natalia Walker; two great grandchildren, Kai Woodrow Bandy and Marcellus Kace Bandy; and a host of other relatives and friends.