Linda Matthews King was born in Savannah, Georgia, to the late Slater B. Matthews, Sr., and Bessie Lois Matthews. She was the sixth of nine children. She began elementary school at Mrs. Pete’s Academy in Hamilton, Bermuda, then returned to the United States in 1961 and finished at Hale Elementary School. She later attended George Washington Carver Junior High School on Fairview Avenue in Montgomery, Alabama, escorted by United States Air Force Police and members of the National Guard.
After the family moved to Hampton, Virginia, in 1967, Linda attended Hampton High School, later transferring to Bethel High School, where she graduated with honors. She was accepted to Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA; Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton, VA; and Virginia State College in Petersburg, VA. She chose Virginia State, majoring in mathematics, and later continued her studies at the University of Maryland. She earned a graduate degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.
Linda began her career at C&P Telephone Company as a directory assistant (operator) and later became one of the company’s first female installer/repair person. She went on to serve as a customer service representative at Bell Atlantic, then advanced to senior management at Verizon Communications in Silver Spring, Maryland, before retiring in 1999.
From childhood, she faithfully attended chapel and Vacation Bible School each year. As a teenager, she accepted Christ and was baptized at Second Baptist Church (now known as Miracle Temple) in Newport News, Virginia. She later joined The People’s Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, and after moving to Williamsburg, Virginia, became a member of New Zion Baptist Church. A devoted student of Scripture, she was ordained as a Deacon on October 26, 2025, and embraced her calling to minister, teach, and share God’s Word.
On Valentine’s Day in 1986, Linda married her sweetheart, John D. King, Sr., and together they built a close-knit blended family. They loved traveling, exploring new cultures, and collecting souvenir spoons along the way.
Linda’s love was shown not only in words, but in action. Even while ill, she remained devoted to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and was named Greek of the Year in 2023. She also delighted in fashion, travel, dancing, and creating custom t-shirts, cups, and other gifts for family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Ervan Harvey Matthews and Mark Jeffrey Matthews. She is survived by her siblings: Glyn Matthews (Ethel), Patricia Matthews Juarez (Paul), Lottie Matthews Hickman (Alton), Slater Matthews, Jr. (Gloria), Connie Matthews Harshaw (Mike), and Morris Elliott Matthews (Amy), as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, John D. King, Sr.; her children, John D. King, Jr. (Joanna), Zakiya Nichelle Walters, David Walters, and Brandon King; six grandchildren—John III, Jordyn, Dash, Rhailyn, Davi, and Tyleah; and two great-grandchildren, John IV and Ava, who brought unending joy, love, and light to her life.
In lieu of floral arrangements, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society in memory of Linda Matthews King.
A service to celebrate Linda’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, at Zion Baptist Church. On Thursday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the family will receive friends, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Omega Omega rites will be rendered at New Zion Baptist Church.
