Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Linda Jane Womack (née Cochran) |
| Birth date | May 17, 1942 |
| Birthplace | New Haven, Connecticut |
| Parents | Joseph Rowland Cochran and Emily Marie Cochran (née Sullivan) |
| Siblings | At least one sibling noted in genealogies, details private |
| Marriage date | December 28, 1963 |
| Spouse | Edgar Allen Womack Jr., physicist and executive, 1942 to 2008 |
| Children | Constance Elaine “Connie” Britton and Cynthia Womack, born March 6, 1967 |
| Early career | Teacher at Chestnut Hill School, Brookline, Massachusetts |
| Later roles | Homemaker, school volunteer, substitute teacher in Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Residence shift | Moved to Lynchburg, Virginia around 1974 |
| Death | February 28, 2005, Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Cause of death | Breast cancer |
| Interment | First Presbyterian Church Columbarium, Lynchburg, Virginia |
Early Life and New England Roots
Linda Jane Cochran was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on May 17, 1942. Her New England upbringing included family, education, and community involvement. Little is known about her youth, but Joseph and Emily Cochran led a stable, education-focused household. Linda’s adulthood was shaped by the calm surroundings. She was drawn to stable classrooms, school communities, and homes.
Teaching Vocation and Professional Outlook
Before marrying, Linda worked in teaching. She taught at Brookline’s Chestnut Hill School, which emphasizes early learning and supporting academics. The job fit her. Teachers frequently have a nurturing nature, which formed a thread in her life. She saw teaching as a calling that changed after having children. She continued schooling after leaving full-time teaching. Instead, she volunteered and substitute taught in local schools, bringing patience and purpose to her communities.
Marriage to Edgar Allen Womack Jr. and Family Life
On December 28, 1963, Linda married Edgar Allen Womack Jr. in New Haven. Their partnership ended in 2005 with her death. Edgar worked in physics and energy before becoming an executive. His career gave Linda a stable home to focus on family without public scrutiny. Constance Elaine and Cynthia, the couple’s twins, were born in Boston on March 6, 1967. Linda was entirely committed to family. The family combined curiosity, discipline, and care in a scientifically rigorous and educationally dedicated environment.
A Home in Virginia and Community Involvement
The Womacks moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1974 with their seven-year-old twins. Transition began a new chapter. Linda focused on community service as a substitute teacher and school volunteer. She spent hours in institutions that support children and families and bring towns together. She never sought formal recognition for this effort. She had a gentle influence, like sunlight through a classroom window.
Motherhood and Influence
Linda’s defining role was as a mother. In family stories, she is described as a supportive, consistent presence who prioritized her kids’ well-being and development. Connie pursued acting and finally gained recognition for her appearances on television and film. Cynthia followed a more quiet route, staying away from public life. The twin sisters grew up in a household where education held power and compassion held value. Years later, Connie adopted a son named Eyob in 2011. That addition happened after Linda’s death, but it demonstrates the family’s continuous dedication to care and connection.
Life at Home and Household Rhythms
Linda’s daily life shows balance. She showed that a kitchen table may be as educational as a classroom desk by combining homemaking with education. She donated time to school events, substituted for teachers, and organized the family. Her propensity for solitude was reinforced by her financial secrecy. The family appeared middle-class, supported by Edgar’s work and Linda’s domestic leadership.
Health Journey and Passing
Linda battled breast cancer in the early 2000s. She died in Lynchburg, Virginia, on February 28, 2005. She was buried in First Presbyterian Church’s columbarium, representing the family’s community affiliations. Her loss came before numerous milestones in her daughters’ lives, yet she shaped their decisions and ideals.
Legacy, Memory, and Public Mentions
Linda was not a prominent figure, hence her name is usually linked to her daughter Connie’s profession and views. Her resilience, family and education dedication, and grounding impact are often praised. She left a legacy of helping people grow. Her modest arena was family, school, and community, and her impact can be seen in the lives she impacted.
Family Overview
| Family Member | Relationship | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Edgar Allen Womack Jr. | Spouse | Married December 28, 1963, physicist and executive, died 2008 |
| Constance Elaine “Connie” Britton | Daughter | Born March 6, 1967, actress with long career in television and film |
| Cynthia Womack | Daughter | Born March 6, 1967, maintains a private life |
| Eyob “Yoby” Britton | Grandchild | Adopted by Connie in 2011 |
| Joseph Rowland Cochran | Father | New England roots, limited public details |
| Emily Marie Cochran (née Sullivan) | Mother | Connecticut family background |
| Sibling | Sibling | At least one sibling noted in genealogies, details private |
Timeline Summary
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Birth | Born May 17 in New Haven, Connecticut |
| Early 1960s | Education and early career | Pursued teaching, began work at Chestnut Hill School, Brookline, Massachusetts |
| 1963 | Marriage | Married Edgar Allen Womack Jr. on December 28 in New Haven |
| 1967 | Birth of twins | Connie and Cynthia born March 6 in Boston, Massachusetts |
| Around 1974 | Relocation | Family moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, when the twins were about seven |
| 1970s to 2000s | Community involvement | Homemaker, school volunteer, and substitute teacher in Lynchburg |
| Early 2000s | Health challenges | Diagnosed with breast cancer |
| 2005 | Death | Died February 28 in Lynchburg, interred at First Presbyterian Church Columbarium |
| 2008 | Husband’s passing | Edgar died three years later |
| 2011 | Grandchild | Connie adopted son Eyob, extending the family line |
Portrait in Numbers
- 1 marriage marked by more than four decades together
- 2 daughters, fraternal twins born in 1967
- Around 31 years in Virginia from the mid 1970s to 2005
- 1 early career as a teacher, followed by years of community service in schools
The Texture of a Life
Linda’s story has thin, strong threads. This lesson plan, that school pickup. Moving from Massachusetts to Virginia changed the family’s geography. The loyalty of a scientist husband. A coffee table full of library books and a community that knows your name. Her life was more like a hearth, radiating warmth in practical ways. She prioritized family but never abandoned her desire to teach, nurture, and assist.
The Womack Household and Its Values
Knowledge and curiosity were more than buzzwords in the Womack home. Habits. Linda’s teaching background offered home life structure, while Edgar’s science background brought inquiry. The twins grew up in order and openness. Family dinners may be discussion forums, and weekends could include school events, rehearsals, and quiet study.
Echoes in the Next Generation
Linda died in 2005, yet her legacy lives on. Connie’s public career is well-known, but her mother was lovely and dedicated. Cynthia follows the family’s privacy rules. In 2011, the Womacks adopted Eyob, a joyous expansion of their brand that reflects Linda’s daily caregiving.
FAQ
Who was Linda Jane Womack?
She was an educator, homemaker, and community volunteer, best known as the mother of twins Connie Britton and Cynthia Womack.
When and where was she born?
She was born on May 17, 1942, in New Haven, Connecticut.
What did she do for a living?
She taught at Chestnut Hill School in Massachusetts and later served as a homemaker, school volunteer, and substitute teacher in Virginia.
Who was she married to?
She married physicist and executive Edgar Allen Womack Jr. on December 28, 1963.
Who are her children?
Her daughters are Constance Elaine “Connie” Britton and Cynthia Womack, fraternal twins born on March 6, 1967.
Where did she live most of her life?
She lived in Massachusetts during her early career and then in Lynchburg, Virginia, from around 1974 onward.
When did she pass away and what was the cause?
She died on February 28, 2005, in Lynchburg, Virginia, from breast cancer.
How is she remembered today?
She is remembered for her dedication to family and education, with mentions often appearing in the context of her daughter’s public life.
