Linda Joan Thompson Whiteheart, 83, of Hayes, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at her residence. She was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Richard R. Whiteheart, who passed away on June 25, 2023. Born in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Doctor Cyrus and Elizabeth (Adams) Thompson. Linda took great pride in telling people about her upbringing in Washington, D.C. When she was in high school, her family moved to Alexandria, where she graduated from Alexandria City High School. She attended Mars Hill Bible College in North Carolina, where she met Richard. Linda would finish her educational journey later in life, graduating from High Point University and receiving her master’s degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Linda worked most of her career in education and was an excellent English teacher. She was known to have edited most of Richard’s sermons and her children’s and grandchildren’s college essays. She taught high school English at Southview Christian High School in Statesville, N.C., and college English at Piedmont Bible College (now Carolina University) in Winston-Salem, N.C. Linda also taught in GED programs in both Virginia and North Carolina. Linda was a woman of deep faith. She often sang in the choir on Sunday mornings and taught a women’s Sunday School class. Before heading to church, she and Richard’s routine was to listen to David Jeremiah, Charles Stanley, or Chuck Swindoll. She loved to travel, whether on a cruise to Alaska, a beach trip, or one of her children’s or grandchildren’s competitions or sporting events. Linda loved events when the family would get together, but she especially loved traveling to Northern Virginia for the family Fourth of July celebration. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, Claire Parsons and Velma Hanes, and a granddaughter, Tracy Renee Habecker. Linda will be greatly missed by her three children: Deborah L. Habecker, wife of Mark of Elizabethtown, Pa., Richard “Dwayne” D. Whiteheart, husband of Kelly of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dana M. Lyon, wife of Dale of Hayes; her six grandchildren: Lauren Ellis (Jimmy), Chad Habecker (Elizabeth), Zachary Lyon (Mariah), Jacklyn Tate (Koda), Eric Habecker, Cassidy Lyon, and four great-grandchildren: Cohen Ellis, Renee Habecker, Able Tate, Elijah Habecker. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews. On Friday, July 19, 2024, the family received friends from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home. A celebration of Linda’s life, conducted by the Rev. Jared Berry, was held at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, 9254 Guinea Road, Hayes, Va. 23072 on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Interment was held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Forsyth Memorial Park, 771 Yadkinville Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106. In memory of our loved one, contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church, 9254 Guinea Road, Hayes, Va. 23072.
Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.