Linda J. Simmons

Linda Simmons of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away August 20, 2021, at the INOVA Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia, from complications of a blood cancer.

She is survived by her husband, George Timothy (Tim) Denley, several nieces and nephews, as well as a network of close friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary Fox Simmons and John P. Simmons, and by her sister, Cynthia Simmons Carpenter.

Linda grew up in Grenada, Mississippi, and graduated from John Rundle High School. She then studied library science and history at Blue Mountain College in Blue Mountain, Mississippi. She excelled academically while enjoying many student activities, including participating with Student Government Council and working in the library. She went on to earn her Master of Social Science Degree at the University of Mississippi with a focus on history and political science.

After receiving her MSS degree, Linda began her teaching career at Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee, the first year the college was established. She taught there for 10 years gaining a reputation as a fun, energetic, and demanding professor. In 1981 she married Tim Denley and moved to Burke, Virginia.

Linda volunteered to work in the Education Department of the National Archives in Washington, DC, prior to being hired there as an education specialist and developed classroom materials featuring original documents for community college teachers. Her work was published and distributed to teachers across the country.

In 1987 Linda returned to her love of teaching as a full-time professor of history and government at Northern Virginia Community College. There she often used original documents and required civic engagement as a means of enhancing her students’ learning experiences in her history and political science classes. She was chair of the NVCC College Senate for two years and received numerous awards and citations for her work, including a Faculty Award for Service Learning. At her retirement in 2014 Linda was awarded Professor Emeritus status.

Linda enjoyed reading, flower gardening, cooking, and travel. She may be remembered by students for trying to help them think more logically. She will be remembered by family and friends for her acerbic wit and for being a gracious and generous hostess.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Linda’s memory may be made to your local library or charity of choice.