Linda Elaine Hyslop

Linda Elaine Hyslop, of Hopewell, Virginia, died peacefully on December 20, 2025, at the age of 81. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Jack Wesley and Grethel Boudreaux Hyslop. Despite a challenging move to Hopewell as a teenager, she became one of the city's biggest champions and dedicated her life to its young people for nearly 60 years.

Linda graduated from Hopewell High School and H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College (now part of Tulane University) and earned a Master of Education from Virginia State University. She returned to Hopewell to teach at Woodlawn Elementary School in 1967, later becoming its assistant principal and principal. She "retired" in 2010 after serving as Hopewell's assistant superintendent for instruction since 1997, but soon came back to public service, sitting on the school board from 2014 until her death. In the interim, she was a division liaison for the Virginia Department of Education and the College of William and Mary, and was executive director of the Virginia Association for Teaching, Learning and Leading (formerly Virginia ASCD).

In addition to her lifelong work on behalf of Hopewell students and teachers, Linda served her community in countless other ways, including the John Randolph Foundation Board, John Tyler (now Brightpoint) Community College Board, the regional school boards of CodeRVA and the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies, and the Rotary Club of Hopewell. She was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church - and the most devoted Hopewell Blue Devils fan, attending nearly every football and basketball home game.

She is survived by her much loved and loving family: her brother, Dr. John Wesley Hyslop II, and his wife, Linda Glass Hyslop; her nieces and nephew and their spouses, Sarah Leonardelli (Nick), Anne Forrest Hyslop, Lauren Morin (Juan), and Wes Hyslop (Jayme); and her five grand-nieces and grand-nephew, Kate and Hannah Leonardelli, Libbie and Alex Morin, and Forrest Hyslop, all of Richmond, Virginia.

Linda loved her many wonderful friends, colleagues, and former students. Several close friends were very special to her, and they know who they are.

There will be a memorial service at Hopewell High School, 400 S. Mesa Dr., Hopewell, Virginia, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the John Randolph Foundation P.O. Box 1606, Hopewell, Virginia 23860.