Linda Major Austin, 77, of Newport News, Virginia, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in North Dakota, and was a lifelong resident of Newport News, Virginia.
Linda dedicated many years of service to Newport News public schools, where she retired as a bus driver after forty years of committed work. She found joy in the simple things – spending time with her family, crafting, tending to her garden, enjoying her koi pond, and caring for her beloved dogs, Hercules and Carmela.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Lelia and George Delk; her husband, James Austin; her son, Larry Proctor; her granddaughter, Elizabeth Pruitt, and Cynthia Bailey, who Linda loved like a daughter.
She is survived by her children: Edward “Eddie” Proctor (Pamela Proctor), Glenn Joseph “Joe” Proctor (Wanda Proctor), Kerrie “Sissy” Hayes (Michele Barnett), and Donna Pruitt, who was like a daughter; her cousin, Beverly Yarrington, who was like a sister; seven grandchildren, Kelsey Kahler, Brandon Hoeffer, Christopher Proctor, RuthAnne “Ruthie” Proctor, Missy Sharp, Sarah Alamo-Garcia, and Tommy Benkowski and eight great-grandchildren, Braelynn and Lawysn Kornhaus, DJ and Loveil Keene, Leland Proctor, Kaya and Christiana Pruitt, and Madison Douglas.
Per Linda and the family’s wishes, there will be no celebration of life at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her GoFundMe fundraiser to assist with medical and final arrangements.
The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Riverside Hospital for the special care provided to her.
