Linda Kay "Dida" Mumpower

Linda Kay “Dida” Mumpower born January 25th 1948 made her spiritual journey on Monday March 10th 2025 with her daughter and family by her side. She was 77 years young.

Linda was born and raised in Big Stone Gap Virginia. She graduated from Powell Valley High School. After graduating she moved to Kingsport and went to College at ETSU and Milligan. She earned master’s degree in Education and began her 36 year teaching career. She began teaching at Blountville Middle, Central High School, finishing and retiring from South High School. During her time as a teacher she touched, inspired and helped countless young students. She made amazing lifelong friends along the way. Her friendships were truly full of love and great times. After retirement she moved to Nashville to watch her only grandson grow up. She loved being ninny to Cole. She beamed with pride about him. She spent many years watching him grow, taking vacations and being there for every moment. The last couple of years she lived with her daughter Susanne, her son in law Jamie, and her pride and joy Cole.

She also spent many years watching her favorite country music artist and running around back stage at the Opry. Her favorite was Vince Gill, who she got to hang out with several times. She was a lover of life, music, dancing, going out with her friends and being with her family. She was also very funny. Everyone has a Dida story. She loved to water and snow ski, work out and go to concerts. She adored all her pets and had a great love for animals.

She was preceded in death by her mother Joyce Jessee, her father Ernest Jessee, and brother Randy Jessee.

Surviving are her daughter Susanne Mumpower-Johnson, her son in law Jamie, her grandson Cole, one brother Mike Jessee and many cousins, and nephew on the Jessee and White sides of the family.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Nancy Darnell and Rev. Linda Coffey officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In her honor any donations can be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or any local animal shelters.