Linda S. Thompson (aka Linda Matthews), beloved wife, mom, grandmother, and sibling, was born on November 25, 1951, in Newtown, MD.  Linda was the first of nine children born to the late George (Thomas) and Thelma (Mickey) Matthews. She was very athletic and enjoyed many sports such as tennis, basketball, and especially softball. She joined the LaPlata Wranglettes, one of the most dynamic girls' teams during that time. She also enjoyed bingo, dancing, and once winning a dance contest on her beloved TV show, Teenarama.

At age 14, Linda met the love of her life, George Marshall at a basketball game at LaPlata High School.  They started dating and became inseparable. They married four years later, March 21, 1970, and have been married for 53 years. From this union, two lovely daughters were born, Marsha and Tijuan.  In 2000, her only grandchild, Loren, was born. Loren was the center of her universe.

Linda was educated in the Charles County Public School System and graduated from LaPlata High School in 1969. She was one of the first six black students to integrate LaPlata High School in 1964 ahead of mass integration. Linda took part in a sit-in at LaPlata High School to draw attention to racial bias issues within the school. Her activism resulted in school policy changes and ultimately the first NAACP march in LaPlata. This experience was instrumental in building her character.

After graduating, she was employed at Verizon (then C&P Telephone Company), where she worked for over 30 years from July 1970 to January 2001. She enjoyed many positions, both management and non-management at Verizon, which allowed her to travel to many cities throughout the United States and propelled her through the ranks. She was promoted to various supervisory positions, including Executive Support, Marketing and then finally Assistant Director of Financial Services where she retired. She was the first black female to manage the company's Financial Marketing and Billing Systems at Verizon Communications. At Verizon, Linda received many significant awards and certificates amongst them, she received a certificate in Financial Economics from the University of Maryland.  She also received many team awards including the Top Verizon Marketing "Spirit of Service" Award in addition to her nomination for Verizon's esteemed "Malcolm Baldridge" Award, the highest honor for a telephone company employee.

Linda retired in 2001 and spent valuable time with her mom as she supported her through lung cancer.  After her retirement, Linda cherished spending time with her family and engaged in public speaking at family events such as birthdays, weddings, and other ceremonies. Linda faced the loss of her daughter, Marsha in 2015 due to terminal lung disease, marking a significant turning point in her life. Linda and Marshall found solace in spending more time with Tijuan and their granddaughter, Loren and their immediate family.

In 2020, she was honored with the Charles County "NAACP 2020 Trailblazer" Award for her efforts in confronting racism at LaPlata High School in 1969 alongside eight other classmates. She was also honored by the Congressional Assembly of Maryland, and the Office of the State Senator of Charles County, Maryland. Linda remained actively involved in her community, serving as the "President" of the committee to host the 1969 LaPlata High School 50th Graduation Anniversary Celebration.

Linda is remembered as a true pioneer, positive, and free-spirited soul. She believed in the power of love, family and determination.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband, George Marshall Thompson, Daughter, Tijuan M. Johnson (Leroy), grand-daughter, Loren Sanders; siblings, Darlette Smith, Geraldine Campbell (Haskell), Charlene Jupiter (Lloyd), Barry Matthews, Terrence Matthews (Lashawne); sister-in-laws:  Joyce Chase, Gertrude Pettie, Edith Johnson (Manuel), and Gloria Thompson; brother-in-laws: George Ransome, Leonard Thompson (Vickie), Maurice Thompson (Tara), Mark Kimbrough (Cynthia) and Glenn Jones (Paula); special aunts, Judy Woodland and Diane Matthews; and special cousins: Gail Fenwick, Eric Lee, Loretta Johnson and Jacqueline Marie Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Linda is also preceded in death by her parents, George Leonard and Thelma Delores Matthews; and her sisters, Cynthia Ransome, Sharon Matthews and Philis Matthews Posey; brother-in-laws, Kenneth Smith and Clifton Pettie III (Junie); her daughter, Marsha Linelle Thompson and nephew Ervin Ransome.

Friends may visit with the family Thursday, January 18th from 9:00 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church,  410 St Mary's Ave, La Plata, MD 20646. Interment immediately to follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery.