She was born April 25, 1948 in Lexington, Virginia, a daughter of Alletta Watson Arrington of Covington and the late Elmer Ryland "Tuck" Arrington.

She was a retired school teacher with the Alleghany Highlands School System.

Her distinguished education career spanned thirty-three and a half years in the Clifton Forge City School System, Bath County School System, Highland County School System and the Alleghany Highlands School System.

She was nominated Teacher of the Year at Clifton Middle School, served on the Health and Emergency Committee at the former Clifton Forge East School, was active in the PTO program and was involved in the after school tutoring program.

She was a member of the National Education Association (NEA), the Virginia Education Association (VEA) and the Alleghany Highlands Education Association (AHEA).

She was a faithful Life Member of the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad Founder's Auxiliary, serving for twenty-four years in all offices. She was active at the district level in AVARS serving as Historian, Treasurer and Finance officer and was a life member.

Linda was a member of the Kiwanis Builders Club Advisory Board, and an active member of the Central United Methodist Church.

In addition to her mother, Alletta Watson Arrington of Covington, she is survived by her husband, Fernando Lopez of Clifton Forge; two sons, Scott R. Lopez and fiance, Stevania Lentini of Roanoke and Patrick F. Lopez and special family of Huntingdon, PA; special child of heart, Christina Shiflett of Clifton Forge; a sister, Peggy A. Yancy and her husband, Ed of Covington; special baby sister, Catherine Cauley-Smith of Monterey, Virginia; four brothers, Ryland W. "Pete" Arrington and wife, Debbie of Richmond, Berkley M. Arrington of Richmond, Melvin D. Arrington of Richmond, and William G. Arrington and wife, Donna of Sugar Grove, WV.; two grandchildren, Stephen Nicely II and Justin Nicely; mother -in-law, Michaela Lopez of El Paso, TX; sister-in-law, Josephine Hanlon and husband, Jack of El Paso, TX; brother-in-law, Salvador Lopez of Dallas, Texas; best friends, Laura Booze and Irene Booze of Clifton Forge and the Gwen Withrow family of Covington; and a number of nieces and nephews including a special niece, Erin Huffman and her family.

A funeral service will be conducted Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. from the Central United Methodist Church in Clifton Forge with Rev. W. Pembroke Hall officiating. In keeping with her wishes, her body will be cremated following the funeral service. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. Friends may also call at other times at the residence of 618 McCormick Boulevard, Clifton Forge, or at the home of Peggy and Ed Yancy 1563 South Greenlawn Ave., Covington. The family suggests memorial tributes in Linda's name take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad Founder's Auxiliary , c/o Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 419, Clifton Forge, Va. 24422 or to the Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, P.O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.

Arrangements are being handled by Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, Virginia.