Linda Ruth Gulley Crittenden

Linda Ruth Gulley Crittenden was born on January 25, 1947 in Greenville, Alabama to Donald M. Gulley and Ruth Mae Peters Gulley. Linda was the youngest of their four children and left Greenville at age 14 to attend Southern Normal Boarding School in Brewton, Alabama, where she graduated as valedictorian. Linda accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at a young age. She attended Knoxville College in Knoxville, TN where she became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Mu Chapter in 1966. She graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and later joined the Knoxville College Alumni Association. In 1972, she received her Master’s in Social Work degree from Wayne State University after joining her older siblings in Detroit. In 1977, she married her hometown sweetheart Bernard Crittenden and they had a beautiful daughter, Tiffany Shea Crittenden Brightwell. While raising and loving her daughter, she worked as a Master Social Worker for the Michigan Department of Social Services where she served in various capacities including Supervisor from 1968-91. Linda was a member of St. Paul AME Zion Church in Detroit, MI. Linda retired from the State of Michigan in 1991. She spent her retirement years closely with her daughter, Tiffany, and in 2012, became a grandmother to Courtney Giselle. Linda became a member of John Wesley AME Zion Church. She enjoyed conversations and spending time with her loved ones, reading scripture, shopping with her daughter, playing with her granddaughter, and was a fan of Detroit Lions football. She was very proud of the accomplishments of her family and encouraging the younger family members. Family and friends also remember how she loved music, reminiscing on past events, and that she enjoyed sharing delicious meals with her loved ones. Linda persevered through health challenges with amazing strength and faith and was the epitome of resilience. On July 15, 2020, the Lord called Linda home to rest. Linda leaves a host of family and friends to cherish her memory including her daughter Tiffany Brightwell, granddaughter Courtney Giselle Brightwell; sister Norma Gulley Jones (Paul), and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who shared many fun times with her and will miss her dearly. Linda was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Ruth Gulley, and siblings Donald Gulley Jr. and Dorothy Gulley Greene. Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 from 4 - 6:00 p.m at Kemp Funeral Home, 24585 Evergreen Road, Southfield MI. A celebration of Linda’s life will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 12:00 pm also at Kemp Funeral Home with limited attendance; interment will be held on Monday, July 27, 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, 19975 Woodward Ave, Detroit. Flowers may be sent to Kemp Funeral Home, and donations can be made in Linda’s name to the American Heart Association or the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan. Tiffany Brightwell Please note, that per Governor Whitmer Funeral Services are limited to 10 people, with facial coverings and social distancing guidelines. Kemp Funeral Home and Cremation Services will adhere accordingly.