Linda Marie Tapson

Linda Marie Tapson, 72, was mercifully received into the hands of the Father on June 8, 2023, after enduring the deterioration of Alzheimer’s.

She was born in McGehee, Arkansas on May 13, 1951 (Mother’s Day) to John and Pebble Wallace. They soon moved to Pine Bluff where her father worked for Arkansas Power and Light. She attended Ouachita Baptist University and after marriage, years later, received her Bachelor of Music degree.

Her parents bought her a piano while in grade school and thus began a lifetime of music which touched the lives of countless church members and school children.

It was Forest Highlands Baptist Church in 1970 while serving as the accompanist on piano and organ that she met Mitch Tapson. He had just returned from a 6-month journey to Europe. On his first Sunday home from his trip, Linda boldly sat down next to him and 6 weeks later they were engaged and married on May 29, 1971.

In the first years of their marriage, they were blessed with three daughters, Leslie, Julie, and Emily. Both Linda and Mitch worked for A P & L. In 1979, Mitch followed the call of God to ministry. This meant that for the next 5 years Linda and Mitch would complete degrees at Ouachita Baptist University and Mitch completed his Master of Divinity degree.

After her music degree in 1981, Linda began a lifelong work as a music teacher. She passed on her love of music to hundreds of students from the classroom, special performances, and her signature community girl’s performance groups. “Sweet Sounds” and “Girls about Town” were two examples of her influence in the lives of many girls who learned to sing and perform. She taught piano lessons also to students and others.

Linda had an absolute belief in her love and commitment to Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her long dark journey with Alzheimer’s never diminished her faith and love for music. Many times, over this past year, she longed to be released from this dreadful disease and be with her Savior. She wanted to go home! Just two weeks before she died, Linda could still play countless songs (classical, Christian, and pop) with her right hand. Her love for music overcame even her severe incapacities.

The date of birth and the date of death have a dash between them. There is so much of life and experiences in that little dash. Linda’s life was full and rich in her time given. Now she has experienced the scripture- “absent from the body, present with the Lord!”

Linda is survived by her husband, Mitchum Tapson; her daughters, Leslie Harper, Julie Elliott (Trey), and Emily Pierce (Brent); 8 Grandchildren, Chloe Harper, Emma Kate Elliott, Avery Harper, Addison Pierce, Maddox Pierce, Preston Elliott, Luke Pierce, and Levi Elliott, and faithful dog, Daisy.

Funeral service will be held at 3 pm, Sunday, June 11^th at Hillcrest Community Church, 5200 Woodlawn Dr, Little Rock, AR 72205. Burial will be private.