Coach Jimmy R. Link, 75, of Tillatoba, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, August 9, 2021 at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 PM Sunday evening at McKibben and Guinn and one hour prior to the service Monday at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Coach Jimmy R. Link, 75, went to be with the Lord on August 4, 2021. Jimmy Link was born on March 20, 1946 in Philadelphia, MS, the son of the late J.L., Sr. and Katherine Link.  Dad has an older brother, James Link, Sr. and a little sister, Kathy Goforth. He graduated from Union High School in 1965.  An athlete, Dad was voted Who's Who Most Athletic for 3 years, and senior year, dad was chosen All Conference in both football and basketball.  Jimmy Link continued his education and athletics at ECJC- East Central Junior College on a football scholarship.  Jimmy Link was selected as Captain and not only played in the All Star game, but was selected as All State and All American.  I do not have a list of his basketball awards, but I do know dad was asked to play in college too.  Jimmy Link also served as the treasurer of his freshman and sophomore class.  He was later added to the Hall of Fame. In August 1969, Jimmy Link married his longtime sweetheart, "Sally" Sarah Helen Wofford before continuing his education with a football scholarship at Delta State University.  He graduated on the Dean's List in May 1972.  Dad was asked to join the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders, but he declined.  Their first child, Rye was born April 10, 1972. Dad immediately began his coaching career for Newton County Schools in 1972 where he began as an assistant football and head track coach.  Dad also established the weight lifting program. In 1976, he was awarded the head coach position of football as well. In May 1975 the baby girl, Mandy, was born. In 1977, Coach Link moved to Burnsville Public Schools where he added head baseball coach and junior high basketball for girls and boys. I found the letter to Dad from a prior student, John Strickland, of Burnsville who was a part of the undefeated boys basketball team and the first team to not have a losing football season in the history of the school until then. As Corinth School District's Athletic Director and a Coach of the year, he shared that Jimmy Link was the person with the biggest impact on his life. He stated he took what dad used to say and never forgot it. PRIDE GENTLEMEN PRIDE. Coach Link believed in doing things the right way. Having pride in everything you do, from keeping the locker clean, warming up the right way,  teaching fundamentals, hating to lose and playing hard. Coach Strickland shared that he was fortunate and grateful for Coach Link's lessons and even more, he passed them on, and his players passed them. In 1978 and 1979, Dad coached at Kirk Academy. In 1978, Dad started their track program.  In 1979, he was chosen Coach of the Year for Track. Junior high team won their conference and the Little Rebel Bowl in Football. Delta Academy was the next school, Dad was head coach of Football- HS, JH, and Peewee, and track. 1980 – 9-2 and Won Heritage Bowl. In 1981 6-4 Second in Conference. Pillow Academy 1982-1983. Winona Academy, 1984-1989, added Athletic Director and defeat of the Carroll Academy's undefeated state champs. What a game!  Coach of the Year. Coach Stanton, my favorite coach, shared with me some of his memories/thoughts of my dad. Coach Link was a man who accepted nothing less than the best from his players. One of the images that immediately came to his mind was Coach Link watering that football field sweating like crazy with a towel draped around his neck! Dad inherited a bit of a mess at Winona Academy, both with the football team and the field itself. He spent countless hours turning that field into one of the better playing surfaces around! Coach Link also changed that program from a laughing stock into a very respected program. Any time there was a strong lick passed on the football field, he'd always get excited and yell out, "BOOM TIME!" That expression will always be special to me. Dad also loved coaching track and taught him more about track strategy and technique than anyone else ever could have. Coach Robert Gordon pulled dad back to Kirk in 1984. Dad, Rye, Curry, Chad Rae and the team nicknamed the Link Legion finished with a football record 1989-90 9-3; 1990-1991 of 10-2. Because I find it funny and Dad loved laughter and getting people to laugh, I'll share Chad Rae's first lesson learned from Coach Link the first day Chad Rae met him at Kirk. Lesson- do not assume anything. Dad asked him a question. Chad answered yes, forgetting the sir. Dad squinted his eyes and while grinning asked Chad Rae if he wanted it right handed or left. Chad assumed Dad was right handed and went left. Another fond memory shared of Kirk times was the Clarksdale Lee "superstar" making a pregame comment about Dad's Orange Ford Truck belonging in the junkyard. Poor  "superstar" did not have a good game at all. Dad did indeed love that truck. In 1993, Jimmy Link moved over to Charleston. I saw plaques for 1993 7th Grade Football Undefeated Season and 1996 Coach of the Year. I was told about the 1996-1997 HS football team who won district 6-0 and went deep into the playoffs, losing to the team that ended up winning state. I wish I knew more to share. Here dad was home for 25 years. God gifted Dad in more ways that I know how to say not only with love of people and sports but horses and animals too. Coach Link, a special man, friend, husband, father, grandfather, and coach, is loved by many and a blessing in many lives. Coach Link was a dad away from home and got the best out of everyone near him. A leader who taught by example the life lessons of principals, hard work, self-discipline, and a will to win. A man who loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his students, his players, co-workers, and opponents, he was a man who knew how to treat people and enjoy life. He not only knew how to love, but he was loved in return. To quote another, "If you knew Jimmy Link, you loved him." I will add that he loved you too! He made a difference for many! For me, he was a father that brought joy from being loved, confidence from being believed in, and security from knowing I could always depend on him. In Rye's words, Dad is the greatest dad and best friend a son could ever hope for. Our own superhero… This Legend, Jimmy Link, was also a proud grandparent of 3. The oldest is Rye's son Shye Link, 23. He is a new graduate of Mississippi State University with a bright present and future. The other 2 grandchildren are Mandy's. Ally Alford, 18, is ready for freshman year at Mississippi College and basketball season. Grayson Alford, 15, starts school Tuesday August 10 at Northpoint Christian School in Southaven, and is ready for the Friday Night Lights. My Dad loved these kiddos and worked hard to not miss a game or event. Jimmy Link was a kind soul and will be missed here, but we will see him again where there are no tears, no pain, or suffering.  I haven't mentioned it before, but most important, Dad was saved and confident that his righteousness was purchased by Jesus on the cross. Glory to God.