Information courtesy of Hunter Funeral Home.
Linda Carol Johnson McCulley, age 83, of Sparta, Tennessee, passed away on February 23, 2026, at Ascension Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital. Born on December 9, 1942, in Lumberton, NC, to the late Luther Hughes Johnson and Lillie Eason Johnson, Linda was defined by her profound love of family, her deep devotion to Christ, and her unwavering dedication to her community.
A faithful wife, loving mother, and encouraging friend to many, Linda is remembered for her gentle and genuine personality and for treating everyone with kindness and respect. Linda spent over 30 years serving the local education system as a school secretary and bookkeeper.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, David Perry McCulley, her brother, Kenneth Johnson, her sister-in-law Donna Taylor, and her brother-in-law, Larry McCulley. Her legacy lives on through her surviving brother, Harold Johnson (Glenda); her sister-in-law, Vickie Johnson; her children, David Jr. (Jill) McCulley and Beverly (Kurt) Dronebarger; her grandchildren, Jackson (Taylor) Dronebarger, Taylor (Tyler) Harp, Cameron Dronebarger, Mackenzie (Ethan) Farley, and Ana Dronebarger; and her great-grandchild, Callum Harp, as well as sisters-in-law, Nancy Dixson (Ernest), Becky Goff (Guy), Shelia McCulley, Melissa Vaughn (David), brothers-in-law Thomas McCulley (Barbara), Gary McCulley (Debby), Bryan McCulley (Jill), John Taylor, and many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS:
Funeral services will be conducted 6:00pm Thursday, February 26, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Sparta. The family will receive friends after 4:00pm Thursday at the church. A private family burial service will be conducted Friday in Saylors Cemetery. Thomas McCulley will officiate.
Serving as pallbearers will be Bryan McCulley, John Taylor, David Vaughn, Guy Goff, Gary McCulley, and Cade Crosland.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Christmas Hope Chest, a cause dear to Linda’s heart that supports children in the White County community. Donations can be made at First National Bank in Sparta.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
