Linwood “Bootsie” Cannon, avid baseball player
Linwood “Bootsie” Cannon, at the age of 85, passed from this life to eternal reward Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. He was born Nov. 6, 1932, to the late Charlie James Cannon and India Adam in Princess Anne, Md.
He was educated at Benjamin Banneker School and Millsboro Public School. He joined the Army and served two terms in Korea. He was employed at various jobs such as Burris Foods and Townsend Poultry. He retired from Tyson Foods as a weigh master.
Bootsie was an avid baseball player. He played semi-pro with the Queenstown Tigers, Millsboro Mohawks and Millsboro Blue Jays as their third baseman. As his playing days came to a close, he utilized his time to help other young boys and girls by becoming a Little League coach. During his 20 years as the first African-American coach of Millsboro Little League, he won two championships with the Millsboro Cardinals.
Bootsie accepted Christ as his Savior at Dickerson Chapel and held positions of vice chair of the steward board, president of the trustee board, and sang with the male chorus. He led barbeques and Men’s Day with much vigor.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Charles Cannon Jr.; sisters Estella Ballard and Beatrice Hall; and grandson Travis Reynolds.
He leaves to cherish his memories, wife Bessie M. Dennis-Cannon; three sons, Linwood Dennis (Brenda) of Delmar, Keith Cannon of Coatesville, Pa. and Jeffrey Cannon of Georgetown; seven daughters, Yolanda McMillon (John) of Frankford, Cheryl Rainey (Rev. Michael Rainey) of Oklahoma City, Okla., Annette Satchell of Georgetown, Trina Ennis (Eston) of Laurel, Jerrilyn Holmes (James) of Millsboro, Regina Hailey (Michael) of Atlanta, Ga., and Jeneen Maclin (Jarrad) of Stockbridge, Ga.; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; one special cousin Elizabeth Holbrook; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
We the family of Linwood “Bootsie” Cannon would like to thank those who called, said a prayer, sent a card, or showed any act of kindness to our family during this time. We also would like to thank the Rev. James Hill, Dickerson Chapel Church family, Veterans Administration, Linwood’s primary care team, Deborah Bailey, N.P. and Crystal Megee, R.N. for their kindness and support.
Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, at noon, at Dickerson Chapel AME Church, 28845 Dupont Blvd., Millsboro. Family and friends may visit two hours prior to the service.
Interment will be Monday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
Professional services entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro.
To offer words of comfort or sign the guestbook visit www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com.
