Linda Sue Reaser

Linda Sue (Toothman) Reaser, 80, of Charlottesville, VA died peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. She spent her last weeks surrounded by family and friends at Hospice House before succumbing to complications from a stroke.

Born September 4, 1945, in Fairmont, WV to Osborne and Helen Toothman, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Barbara Herath, and brother-in-law, Richard Herath.

A proud Victory High School graduate (’63), she met the love of her life, Leslie Albert Reaser, in the fall of her junior year. They dated throughout high school and while she attended Fairmont State College as an elementary education major. Linda Sue and Albert married on March 25, 1967.

After teaching for a year in Clarksburg, they moved to Charlottesville in 1969 where Linda taught fourth grade at Broadus Wood Elementary and then at Greenwood Elementary. During her last year at Greenwood, she taught first grade. That experience ignited her lifelong passion for early childhood education. In 1982 she began her 35-year career running Happitime Preschool. Her belief in children’s ability to learn and thrive through hands-on instruction and play guided all aspects of her program.

In addition to her work with small children, Linda also volunteered with 4-H and Girl Scouts. She was involved in 4-H throughout her life, working as a camp counselor at Jackson’s Mill, winning the state record book in Breads, and achieving the rank of All Star. With Linda as her public speaking and demonstration coach, her daughter Lori was able to follow in her mother’s footsteps and win the Breads state achievement book award.

While teaching fourth grade, she became leader of her first Girl Scout Troop. Linda later led her daughter Julie’s Girl Scout troop from Brownies to Senior Scouts, helping Julie earn her Gold Award. She was a unit leader at Sugar Hollow Day Camp for many years and loved singing camp songs. She helped organize new troops and would act as a mentor for adults new to scouting. She also co-led a troop with a former fourth grade student for 10 years.

Linda shared her time and talents with her church. She began teaching Sunday School at age 12 and taught almost continuously until 2024. At Olivet Presbyterian, she organized a middle school youth group, a Wednesday after school children’s program, Kids Connect, taught Vacation Bible School, and volunteered to chaperone many youth adventures.

Her unwavering faith in God defined her life and actions. Singing in the choir, volunteering in the nursery, participating in various committees, leading Bible study with Presbyterian Women, donating to missions work, and baking countless sourdough rolls for church suppers and fundraisers are just a few of the ways that she followed Jesus’ commandment to love one another.

Linda Sue is survived by her husband of 59 years, Leslie Albert, her daughters, Lori Reaser of Charlottesville, VA and Julie Reaser of Marion, VA; her sister Robin Poling of Crozet, VA, and several nieces and nephews.

A family night will be held on Monday, July 13 from 6-8 pm and the funeral on Tuesday, July 14 at 2 pm with the internment and reception immediately afterward. The funeral will be live streamed and both services will be held at Olivet Presbyterian Church, 2575 Garth Road in Charlottesville, VA. Floral tributes may be delivered to Olivet.