Linda L. Isabell

Linda L. Isabell

Linda Lou (nee Robinson) Isabell, 75, of Oberlin, transitioned from this life to glory
surrounded by her children on Friday, January 13, 2023, at Mercy Allen Hospital in
Oberlin following a lengthy illness. Linda was born to James T. and Elizabeth A. (nee
Brown) Robinson on May 28, 1947, in Fayette County, West Virginia.
In 1955, Linda and her family relocated to Oberlin, where she resided for over 67 years.
Linda was a 1966 graduate of Oberlin High School and attended Oberlin Business
College in the late 1960's.

Linda was employed at Oberlin Public Library for nearly 30 years until her retirement
due to illness in December 2018. She was a previous employee of the Oberlin Clinic
from 1970-1978, as well as a substitute aide for Oberlin City Schools from 1984-1988.
Linda's life purpose was her work in the Oberlin community, always investing her focus
on enriching, uplifting, and generating awareness for the advancement in the
education of our youth, social and racial justice. Her community involvement spanned
nearly four decades as she served as a founder or groundbreaking member of
empowering organizations such as Oberlin Black Alliance for Progress (OBAP), Oberlin
African-American Genealogy and History Group (OAAGHG), and Oberlin Underground
Railroad Society (OURS) among others. Linda's ultimate community project was her
passionate commitment to Oberlin's annual Juneteenth Celebration, for which she
tirelessly served on the committee for 20 years. If you knew Linda well, then you know
that she was a humble person who selflessly worked behind the scenes to get things
accomplished and never desired acknowledgement or accolades. Linda's sole interest
was to err on the side of equality for all in her contributions toward the betterment of
Oberlin and the inclusion of its Black community.

In addition to her community involvement, Linda enjoyed engaging in spirited
discussions about local and national politics, listening to Gospel music, baking the best
sweet potato pie, pouring unconditional love and life lessons into her three children (and
their friends), and relishing in the joy of her favorite role as Grandma.
Above all, Linda was a committed woman of God and steadfast in being a good, strong,
and faithful servant. Her foundation in the church began as a child at the teaching of her
father, Tom (aka Radio), who was a pastor. She kept the Word at the core of
conversations as her opportunity to spread and share her love for the Lord with
everyone. Linda was a member of Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship.
Linda is survived and forever loved by her daughter Carrie of Oberlin; sons Marcus of
Lakewood, OH and Brandon (Njinju Fogap) of Columbus, OH; special companion Clark
Shephard of Oberlin; grandson Wynton Isabell; granddaughter Zora Isabell; bonus
granddaughter Alicynth Nembo; sisters Bessie Mae Lightfoot, Beatrice Robinson and
Mary Geneva (Ralph) Smith all of Charlotte, NC; brother Thomas Robinson of Charlotte;
sisters-in-law Ann Robinson-Lewis, Naomi Robinson and Sharon Robinson; many
nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and all of the kids (now adults) who grew up
knowing and adoring her as Mrs. Isabell. Special acknowledgement and thanks to
Janeen Bunner, Marla Diop, and Marissa Clark for their loving care of Linda throughout
her illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Benjamin F. Isabell Sr., and brothers
Leon, Jeremiah, and Leslie Robinson.

Linda's Homegoing Celebration will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Christ
Temple Apostolic Church, 370 W. Lincoln Street, Oberlin, OH 44074. Visitation will be
held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Albert G.
Miller, Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly encourages memorial contributions in honor of Linda
L. Isabell to Oberlin Underground Railroad Society, P.O. Box 426, Oberlin, OH 44074.
Cowling Funeral Home, Inc. of Oberlin is handling arrangements. To express online
condolences, please visit www.cowlingfuneralhomeoh.com. 

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