Linda Pempsell, 84, died on Valentine’s Day morning following sudden complications related to a pre-existing heart condition.

Linda Lou Smith Fry Pempsell was born on the family farm in Rotan, Texas to Linda Faye and Nelson Smith on August 16, 1939. Through a combination of hard work and good luck, her parents sent both their children to college at Baylor University, where Linda studied to become a schoolteacher (her favorite of the only 3 options she said were available to women in the 1950s). There she met and married John Fry, eventually moving to Arlington, Texas where she taught biology at Lamar High School for 24 years and raised two daughters.

Linda raised her girls on murder mysteries, Oprah Winfrey, camping trips, and vacation bible school (which mostly took). She taught them to love books and music (Patsy Cline, Elvis, and Barbra Streisand) and that learning was fun.

While teaching and raising her girls, she earned a master's degree so she could teach AP biology at Lamar. She was a favorite among students for making class fun, even when dissecting frogs and fetal pigs. She was recognized throughout her career, culminating in her being named Teacher of the Year in 1996.

Linda loved music and took lessons in blues piano. She was an avid bridge and tennis player, the top woman tennis player in Arlington for a time. She was an excellent cook. She loved current events and giving back to the community. She was a lifelong member to numerous organizations related to her interests (the American Association of University Women – AAUW, Arlington Women’s Club, Bailando, the H.O.P.E. Tutoring Center, plus multiple book clubs and democratic organizations). For many years she was an active member and volunteer at the First United Methodist Church in Arlington. In 1998, she was named Woman of the Year by AAUW in recognition of her service to the community.

Linda was funny and smart, and had many close, life-long friends. She liked the occasional spotlight and always had something interesting or funny to share with people whenever she saw them. She adored her grandkids and made an effort every birthday and Christmas to do something special with them.

When a rocky patch at midlife forced Linda to reinvent herself, she turned to her friends for support. She was a founding member of the S.L.U.T.S. (Single Ladies Under Tremendous Stress), a group of friends who helped each other build new lives after divorce. With their help Linda did just that eventually marrying a fellow Lamar High School teacher Austin “Mike” Pempsell. Linda embraced Austin’s children and grandchildren as her own. Together they started a business, went sailing and dancing, attended multiple corvette rallies, and traveled the world, most recently taking a cruise through the Panama Canal. She once said to him that she never dreamed that she would be living the life they had together.

Linda is survived by Austin Marcus Pempsell, her sweetheart and husband of 35 years; brother Gary Smith and his wife Jane; children, Stacey Sims and her husband Mike, Laurie Fry and her husband Robert Freedenfeld; stepchildren Chris Pempsell and his wife Robin, Michael Pempsell, Mark Pempsell; grandchildren Caleb Sims, Anna and Aaron Freedenfeld, Dustin and Hannah Pempsell, Brody Pempsell and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. We miss her.

A remembrance and celebration of her life will be held on Monday, February 26 from 2-4pm at Sharpe's Grill at the Parc Place Retirement Community where she had been living in Bedford, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association.

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