Linda Jean "Jeanie" Lyons

Linda Jean "Jeanie" Lyons, 85, went home to be with the Lord on February 5, 2026, in Fairfax, Virginia.

Born on November 10, 1940, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Jeannie was the beloved daughter of Howard William Lyons and Emma Katherine Lyons. She graduated from Shippensburg High School in 1960 and went on to earn her Master's Degree from Arkansas State University in 1966. She also pursued studies at the Georgetown University Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, reflecting her lifelong passion for history and global cultures.

Jeannie devoted 38 years to teaching social studies, inspiring generations of students with her enthusiasm for history and her deep curiosity about the world. She especially loved taking her students abroad to Europe and other countries, believing that travel brought history to life in a way no textbook could. Her journeys took her to England, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Israel, Syria, Egypt, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Holland, and Italy. She visited historic sites throughout Europe, including Auschwitz and Birkenau, experiences that profoundly shaped both her teaching and her worldview. She had once dreamed of becoming an Egyptologist or anthropologist, and she carried that intellectual curiosity throughout her life.

In addition to her classroom work, Jeannie volunteered at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., further demonstrating her commitment to education and remembrance.

Jeannie also coached and tutored students from Prince William County Public Schools for the "It's Academic" quiz competition held at NBC studios, delighting in challenging young minds and celebrating academic excellence.

Jeannie was a faithful member of Lutheran Memorial Church and lived her life guided by service, education, and compassion. She had a deep love for dogs, finding joy and companionship in their loyal presence throughout her life. In her free time, she delighted in cooking for family and friends, always eager to share a warm meal and good conversation. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching movies, often losing herself in a good story. Traveling brought her great happiness, as she loved exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. Among her many talents, painting held a special place in her heart, offering her a peaceful and creative outlet that reflected her vibrant spirit.

Jeannie is survived by her son, Michael Howard Young of Chantilly, Virginia; her grandson, Christopher Robert Young of Chantilly, Virginia; her nephew, Greg Matthew Lyons of Raleigh, North Carolina; her nephew, Douglas Michael Lyons of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania; her sister-in-law, Mary Susan Lyons of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and many extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jerry S. Lyons, and her infant daughter, who passed away at Fairfax Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Money and King Funeral Home on Maple Avenue in Vienna, Virginia. A graveside service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Spring Hill Cemetery in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Jeannie's legacy lives on in the thousands of students she inspired, the family she cherished, and the many lives she touched through her dedication to education, history, and service. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.