Linda Rae Walls

Linda Rae Walls

Linda Rae Walls (Holland) passed away at the age of 82, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, after a brief illness.

Linda was born in Athens, Ohio on February 21, 1942, to James and Janice Holland and remained a lifelong resident. She graduated from Athens High School in 1960 and went on to attend business school in Columbus. She was very proud of her three children (Ronda, Rick, and Amy) and viewed their success as her biggest accomplishment.

A spirited competitor, Linda earned her “expert junior marksman” certificate and was a skilled pony racer at the Athens County Fairgrounds. She played softball, bowled, and enjoyed singing with and directing the Hocking Valley Chapter of the Sweet Adelines for many years and went on to direct the men’s chorus as well.

Linda devoted herself to motherhood, putting her own interests aside to provide opportunities for her children. She raised a family of animal lovers and rescued dogs and cats. She also welcomed a horse (Hot Rod) and a pony (Buddy) into the family.

Linda enjoyed making people laugh. If you didn’t get her joke, she’d say it was your fault because you apparently don’t know what funny is. If you had already heard it, she’d tell it again because, according to her, she liked the way she delivered it.

She prided herself on utilizing proper grammar and punctuation and took this skill to the Athens Messenger where she worked in the classifieds department in the mid-1980s and later embarked on a 25-year career at the Athens Police Department as Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police. She was proud of her work there and was happy to be an honorary member of the F.O.P.

Linda was an expert worrier when it came to her kids, grandkids, politics, and many other things. She would even offer to worry FOR other people because she was so good at it. Linda would tell others who were worry-ridden, "Worrying is a misuse of imagination."

Fiercely independent, but truly a positive, level source of direction and common sense, Linda was always there for her kids and friends. One of her greatest joys after retirement was the "Lunch Bunch." The group met weekly at various restaurants and always left laughing (and often with dessert to go).

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, James and Janice Holland.

She is survived by three children, Ronda (Karl) Paoletti of Sugar Land, TX; Rick (Julie) Walls of Milford, OH; Amy (Darren) Ellis of Pottstown, PA; four grandchildren; Nicholas and Sofia Paoletti and Hailey and Tyler Walls, and several grand-cats. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends of the Shelter Dogs, P.O. Box 576 Athens, Ohio 45701 or Bella Run Equine, 4664 Pleasant Hill Rd, Athens, OH 45701.

Friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, September 25, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home, at 168 Morris Ave., Athens, OH 45701 followed by a graveside service at 1:30 p.m., at Alexander Cemetery, 4181 Hebbardsville Rd., Athens, OH 45701. Friends are also invited to attend an informal gathering to celebrate and remember Linda at the Athens Elks, #973, 600 West Union St., Athens, OH 45701 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.