 Linda was one of the most passionate educators I have ever encountered. Very loyal, articulate and passionate.  She will be missed. I still remember her taking me around Ft. Worth! A life well lived!

I worked with Linda for over 11 years at America's Choice (and then Pearson) - and I learned from her at every turn.  She had a disarmingly subtle and quiet way of making the right point or torpedoing a terrible idea or fallacious argument - always with humor and an abundance of wit.  It's still hard to believe that I won't hear her voice and laughter on the other end of the phone.  Hers was, indeed, a life well-lived.  It's wonderful to see all of the touching tributes here.

Linda and I worked together in the FWISD, NCEE, ACI, and finally, Pearson. For almost 30 years, she and I agreed and agreed to disagree. We drank wine (usually red), wrote curriculum (training and classroom), saw plays (New York and Chicago) and concerts (David Allan Coe and others at Billy Bob's), lost weight together, gained weight together and more. I want to call her and laugh about old times. I want to get together and create new times. I hate that I can't.

Just this morning a friend and colleague at the Arkansas Department of Education told me that her husband wants to get a Mini Cooper.  I said I rode in a Mini Cooper with a friend of mine in Texas.  Later, I was asked by a small group to tell about my background in education. I shared the story of being one of two teachers hired to be a high school writing specialist in Fort Worth, only to be told that all work for the first year would be in elementary schools. When Linda, the other high school writing specialist, reported on her first day in an elementary classroom, she told the elementary specialists, "You didn't tell me the kindergartners would crawl away!" 

Later this afternoon, I learned of Linda's passing. Clearly, Linda is a positive influence on many, and I will continue to routinely share her stories, our stories, daily.

Linda and I were colleagues at America's Choice.  She was a wonderful and compassionate teacher and friend.  I learned from her and always enjoyed working with her on the issues we cared so much about.  She will be missed!!!

Linda was one of the first people I met when my school adopted the America's Choice Model. When she visited our school to speak, I was convinced that we were on the right path. She was an inspiration to us all.

Ms. Lewis was my Freshman English Teacher at DeSoto High School in 1977. She was one of my favorite teachers and her sense of humor is what I remember most. She and classmate Nicky Melton had their own way of sparring that had the rest of us in stitches. I have great memories of her. She taught me so much! My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

I miss Linda every single day.  I look at the clouds, and I think of Linda's love of the sky.  I work with teachers, and I think of how Linda respected and valued their experience and commitment.  I read books and I think of Linda's reading.  I see football, andâ€¦well, you get the picture.  I was blessed by getting to work for her for almost 15 years, and she's part of my being.

What a spectacular human being Linda was!  I worked with her many years ago.  How very quiet and humble she was with her incredible knowledge.  She was always willing to let others shine and taught many lessons by simply being herself.  May she rest in peace.

Linda was my supervisor for all things NCEE, America's Choice, and Pearson. As we transitioned from reform to reform and context to context, she was a benevolent forceâ€”an angelâ€”to make all things transitionable, doable, make sense. When the chips were down with new challenges, she made everything an exciting question. When I doubted my own worth, she bolstered me up and helped me keep a flame alive. Oh sure, there were gripes and hurdles to overcome, but, she had the wisdom of good counsel, and everything was always better with her humor and a glass of wine. I am so very thankful for Linda in my life for so many reasons, and especially for how to live a good and balanced life. I will miss Linda as a model of poise not to be equaled.

She was my first friendly face at DeSoto High School.  Great educator, role model, fierce in all that she believed in.  Her admirers are legion.  She will be missed.

I worked with Linda on the Ramp Up to Literacy Program!!! She was so very supportive and always encouraging!! I will always remember the humanity and kindness of Linda. We worked hard but Linda always managed to make sure we also had fun in her beloved Fort Worth.  She has left an incredible footprint on the literacy movement across the nation.  I will miss her as a colleague and as a friend. Maryann

GREAT TEACHER AT DE SOTO HIGH SCHOOL. VALORIE ORR BARRETT

Linda, a dear friend and colleague for 26 years!  From teaching days,staff development days in Ft. Worth, to our ACI days together!  Her infectious laugh,sense of humor and being so grounded in life,family, and education in general was a true gift to me.  I will miss her, her wisdom and knowledge she shared so freely! A true friend, colleague and gift to me and who made a difference in my life.
Susan Powell, Atlanta, GA.

Linda's was a life well-lived!  Her influence on education will continue for decades to come.  And, my life was made richer by her knowledge and wisdom.  I am so honored to be able to call her my friend and colleague.

Linda was a hard working educator.  She truly wanted to make a difference with the people she worked with and for.  She was passionate about helping people and was always available to help others.  Linda will be missed as she was a blessing to so many.       Dianne Hampton (London, Kentucky)

Linda was such a nice person.  I really enjoyed working with her at DeSoto High School.  May God bless her and her family!

I am so sorry for your loss, Ms.Lewis was one of my favorite teachers. She is the one that I can say got me to like taking english. She was a great teacher and a great friend. Your Family will be in my prayers.

OBITUARY

Ms. Linda Kathleen Lewis

March 4, 1944 – August 22, 2014

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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