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Linda Vess
1937 - 2025
Linda Vess Obituary
Linda was born & raised in Covington, VA, daughter of Roy and Hallie Vess and sister of Ron Vess, Dave Vess and Steve Vess, all of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Katy Vess and Lee Vess, her nephew, Todd Schall-Vess, and nieces Jennifer Vess-Morgan, Robyn Vess and Kylie Vess.
Her early years were spent in the small rural "mill" town of Covington, VA. She graduated from Covington H.S. (excelling in athletics & academics), and received her Bachelor's degree from Longwood College, and her Master's degree from Virginia State University.
She worked at Phillip Morris, developing a life-long friendship with Mary Sanderford before she began teaching. Linda taught at Robious Middle School, Manchester Middle School, and Monacan High School. As CEA president, she organized a "work to the contract" demonstration successfully negotiating a substantial pay raise for her fellow teachers. Linda possessed a life-long love of learning, traveling, gardening, music, community activism, and devotion to the Democratic Party. She formed enduring relationships wherever her soul touched people, especially with Ed Barber and Darleen Stigall. She inspired countless people with her intellect, discipline, ethics, compassion and her exhilarating sense of humor. She was a constant presence at the County Seat Restaurant formerly owned by Janie Dean, her college roommate, and currently owned by Tracy Cifers, Janie's daughter. All of her friends were invited to her annual backyard Pig Roasts & bonfires for 30 years. She also dabbled in real estate with her friend, Alex, and had an antique booth with her friend, Rosalie. And she dabbled in other investments over the years ranging from part ownership of an oil well to collectible coins.
Linda was a lover of education, earth science, flora, & fauna (especially her pets Salty Dog, Two Dog, Taz, and her cat, Zippy.) She was an avid bowler with the Chesterfield County Teacher's Bowling League for over 50 years.
She was a traveler extraordinaire visiting all 7 continents, which included the polar plunge in Antarctica & a bungee jump in New Zealand!!
She will be missed so very much by her family and countless friends, all of whom wish her well on her current journey.
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Memories and Condolences
for Linda Vess
6 Entries
Frances Koehler
Yesterday
My memory of Linda was as a science teacher at Monacan, where I also taught Special Education. I remember the work to contract hours walk in and walk out Linda organized as the Chesterfield Education Association President (and wondering how any teacher would get their work done when not coming in to work early, staying late, or taking work home).
After l left Monacan, Linda took the same cold weather camping course I did given by VCU. All of us laughed when at the end we camped out in February when weather ironically was 80-90 degrees for enough time to green up the fields - not cold weather! The class left VCU late so we pitched our tents in the dark. All were horrified in the morning to find we had camped in a field of poison oak. Being highly allergic, my "winter" camping trip ended abruptly but the adventurous Linda stayed with the other students, all with their 20 degree below zero sleeping bags in the unusually hot February weather.
Margot Lynn Geisler
October 10, 2025
In 1985 I met Linda as a fellow earth science teacher in Chesterfield County. She became my hero soon after I met her. When I joined the teacher's bowling league I was lucky enough to be on her team. We had a lot in common, especially our love for science and travel. I will miss her immensely. I was so privileged to have been a friend to this amazing woman.
Debra Aguirre
October 9, 2025
I delivered her mail for many years. She was a nice woman
Wesley Childress
October 9, 2025
So many who taught in Chesterfield County counted Linda as a friend ... she wore so many "hats" ... We never taught at the same school ... but bowling ... politics ... neighbor ... that is the Linda I knew ... Always friendly ... out going ... caring ... she was the "complete package" ... one of a kind ... irreplaceable ... sorely missed.
Patty Fowlkes
October 9, 2025
Ms. Vess was my Earth Science teacher back in 1980 at Monacan High School. Went on a couple of weekend trips to travel in some of Virginias Caves. She was the sweetest teacher.will always remember her smile. Patty Fowlkes.
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