Linda S. Beverly (Age 76)
Memorial service info
Linda Kathleen Stalls Beverly, 76, died Thursday, December 11, 2025.
She made friends wherever she went and cared for the communities she served throughout her lifetime. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in everyone who knew her well.
Linda was born February 28, 1949, in Metropolis, Illinois, and raised in Carbondale, Illinois. She was the youngest daughter of the late Freda Mae Houston Stalls and Robert Alvin Stalls.
She loved school and had good relationships with all her childhood teachers and many of her classmates throughout her academic life. She completed her primary and secondary education at Crispus Attucks Elementary and Senior High School and graduated from Carbondale Community High School.
Linda earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale in 1970. She deeply loved her field of study, and during Linda’s college experience at SIU, she participated in several organizations. She became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, and after her studies, worked as a features writer covering university events in the humanities for the Southern Illinois University News Service, which later became the University Photographers Service under the direction of legendary SIU photographer, the late Robert W. “Rip” Stokes.
In the same year she graduated, she met the love of her life, John R. Beverly, III. In 1972, they were married in Carbondale, Illinois, and moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where John attended graduate school at Princeton University. While in Princeton, Linda worked at Westminster Choir College as an assistant to the public information director. In 1974, Linda and John moved to Washington, D.C., where John started his career at the Department of Labor. During this time, Linda worked at the George Washington University School of Government & Business Administration as a public relations coordinator. The couple eventually settled in Arlington, Virginia, and lived in the Fairlington neighborhood from 1977 until the present day. Within a few years of beginning their lives together in Arlington, they welcomed their first child, Juliet, and, three years later, their second, Matthew.
She was a devoted mother and homemaker, but her endeavors didn’t stop at her threshold. She worked tirelessly as a valued resource to the community. Linda was a constant and effective volunteer and advocate for children’s education and literacy, especially in underserved communities. She was a longtime member of Arlington County’s Civic Coalition for Minority Affairs. Linda also founded the advocacy group Concerned Parents of Arlington and co-chaired the African-American Parent Network. In 2003, she was among 14 residents to be recognized by the Arlington School Board as “Honored Citizens” for outstanding volunteer service to Arlington Public Schools.
Linda was a skilled illustrator and collage maker, often gifting personalized collages to relatives to commemorate birthdays and other life milestones. She enjoyed family outings and road trips that invariably included art and history museums. Linda appreciated scenic views and wildlife. She once said that, in another life, she might have become a veterinarian because she loved animals so much. You could often find her tending to her vibrant hydrangeas or walking the family dog, Scruffy, while chatting with neighbors. Linda lived with an ear toward the radio, listening to music and NPR, especially on weekends. She could talk to you about anything — from politics to entertainment and pop culture. Her adventurous spirit yielded a spice cabinet full of global flavors and a home decorated with unique art, trinkets, books, and periodicals. She had a midwestern sense of humor and was always kind, generous, and trustworthy.
Linda is preceded in death by her big brother, Michael “Bubba” Stalls, and her dear sister-in-law, Alice Petrose.
She leaves behind her husband of 53 years, John R. Beverly, III, of Paulsboro, New Jersey; her daughter and son, Juliet M. Beverly and Matthew G. Beverly of Arlington, Virginia; her sister, Madlyn Stalls, PhD, of Carbondale, Illinois; her foster sisters, Jill and Vallery Swift; her sister-in-law, Toni Stalls; her nephews, Robert Goodwin, and Michael “Bugsy,” Keith, and Richie Stalls. Linda is also survived by her dear in-laws, Kenneth Goodwin, John Petrose; goddaughters in-law Robbin Petrose Wright and her husband Bryan and Yvette Petrose and Wayne Corbin; and the children of these goddaughters – Bryan, Brittney, Wayne, and Derrick; Ruth and the late Robert Hill Beverly; Claudia Rollins and her late husband Jerry, Katrina Gill and her husband Edward and their daughter, KaShauna; the late Sonora Bennett and her husband Russell and their children, Kia, Latice, and JB; William Renfro and his late wife Renee Renfro, Arthur Wendell and his late wife Patricia Long, Donna Kay Dobbs, Carolyn Brooks, Margaret Waty Martin, sisters Pamela and Joan Menzies, Michael and Carmen McCallister. Linda will be fondly remembered by her much-loved neighbors for over 30 years: Laurel Beedon, PhD, and Gianni Grimaldi and his wife, Chiara Pierattini.
The following memorial events are planned.
Visitation
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 12 pm-1 pm
Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home
1500 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, Virginia, 22302
Celebration of Life
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 1 pm-2 pm
Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home
1500 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, Virginia, 22302
Reception
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 2 pm-4 pm
Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home
1500 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, Virginia, 22302
