Blood drive honors Nunley
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The drive was organized by Linda’s sister, Jimmie Webber, and sister-in-law Katrina Nunley. Jimmie and Katrina began to discuss the idea at the beginning of Linda’s illness this May. Both women wanted to put together a blood drive that would not only benefit Linda but so many others as well, especially in light of the devastating storms in the Gulf Coast.
Katrina has been instrumental in organizing the event and said she hopes local residents, particularly Linda’s former students, will find this a way to honor Linda and provide a much-needed service.
Linda Carol Nunley taught at Warren County High School for 26 years. Many students may know her as Linda Dial. Diagnosed with leukemia in May, she has received donations of a great number of units of blood and platelets for which her family is very appreciative.
Linda has had a positive and lasting effect on both her students and co-workers over the years. Fellow WCHS teacher, and former student, Chad McGee talked about her influence on his life and career.
“She was one of the teachers that I probably knew best in high school and worked with the most,” McGee said. “She was an excellent teacher for teaching writing and teaching students how to express themselves. She was a very creative teacher.
“For me, she was sort of my mentor/teacher at the high school,” McGee added. “She was the teacher I would always go to her room after school and visit for 10 or 15 minutes. If I ever needed any help with anything, she was always there to help. She’s probably the teacher most responsible for me being the teacher I am now.”
WCHS librarian Carol Chambers knows Linda from another perspective, having been Linda’s teacher, and then as a fellow teacher for many years.
“She was an excellent, excellent student,” Chambers said. “Any teacher would have been glad to have her. And then as a fellow teacher she’s just so easy to work with and helpful. You would label her as a team player.”
Recent WCHS graduate Emily Hobbs was in Linda’s homeroom for four years.
“She was a wonderful teacher,” Hobbs said. “She had a unique sense of humor and often applied it to her teaching. I enjoyed her class so much and pray for the best for her.”
Hobbs noted she has never given blood before, but she plans to make this her first time in honor of Ms. Nunley.
Linda has recently been chosen to receive the WSMV Channel 4 “Apple for the Teacher” award. Since she is currently hospitalized at Vanderbilt, Chambers and assistant principal Haskel Greer will be accepting the award for her and will take it to her. The ceremony will be held at 12:30 on Tuesday, Oct. 25 on Channel 4’s “More at Midday” program.