Beloved Booneville restaurateur Linda Marcum dies at 84

Linda A. Marcum, 84, of Booneville, died Jan. 8, 2026, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. Marcum was a longtime business owner in Owsley County, best known for Linda’s Café and Linda’s Victoria Rose Bed & Breakfast, and an active community member through local groups including the Red Hat Ladies.

Marcum’s businesses served more than meals and rooms; they were gathering places for neighbors and travelers alike, contributing to Booneville’s small hospitality economy and the county’s social fabric. In a community where a few long-running establishments make outsized contributions to foot traffic and informal social services, the loss of a proprietor with deep local ties is felt beyond family and regular patrons.

Surviving family members include her son, Del Rolland Jr., along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation and services were scheduled at Booneville Funeral Home on Jan. 13, 2026. Family information, service times, funeral home contact details, and options to send condolences are available on the funeral-home’s Tribute Archive page: tributearchive.com/obituaries/46890600/linda-a-marcum.

For residents, Marcum’s passing is both a personal loss and a moment to consider the role of small, family-run businesses in Owsley County’s economy. Establishments like Linda’s Café have long provided steady, if modest, employment, supported local suppliers, and drawn visitors who spend in other local shops. The disappearance or transition of such businesses can reduce casual foot traffic that helps sustain neighboring enterprises and community events.

Neighbors planning to attend services or reach out to the family should consult the funeral-home page for the most current details and condolence options. For those who valued Marcum’s hospitality, practical ways to honor her legacy include patronizing remaining local businesses, supporting family members as they make decisions about the café or B&B properties, and preserving memories that sustain community ties.

The takeaway? Booneville loses more than a business when a longtime owner passes; it loses a hub of daily life. If you can, stop by your local café, offer a hand to neighbors, or leave a message for the family online. Small actions help keep the county’s social and economic fabric intact.