LYNDA CAMPBELL, 65, of Berea, died on September 26th, 2020, after 18 years pursuing a full, active life with a breast cancer that metastasized and brought an end to her time in this world. Throughout her life Lynda’s gregarious and lightness of being belied a fierce competitiveness, a sharp, nimble mind, a zealous commitment to justice for all, and, for nearly 20 years, a stalwart, stubborn realism while living with, around, and through breast cancer. Lynda’s zest for life and extraordinary fortitude pervaded her work and all facets of her life to the end.
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Born in Dallas and raised in Miami and Daytona Beach, Florida, by the late Donald and Jeanne Campbell, Lynda moved to Berea in 1983, when her husband, Bob Hoag, joined the faculty at Berea College. Lynda’s family, especially, lives on with many a marvelous memory: her husband of 39 years, Bob Hoag, of Berea; two sons, Scott Hoag (Sarah) of Washington, D.C., and Bryan Hoag (Heather) and grandson, Carter, of Ft. Collins, Colorado; a brother, John (Kathy), of Dutton, Alabama; and in the Daytona area, two brothers – D.J. (Roberta) and Steve (Carol) – and two sisters – Pat Weber (Mike) and Carolyn Pratt (Rick) – a mother-in-law, Eleanor H. Frye – and an abundance of nieces and nephews.
From 1980 until 2007 Lynda was a practicing criminal defense attorney and public defender. In 1973 she graduated Seabreeze Senior High School in Daytona Beach, in 1977 completed a B.A. at the University of Florida, and in 1980 earned a J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law. Always passionately committed to truth and “justice for all,” regardless of race or economic class, for nearly 30 years first in Florida and then in Kentucky, Lynda worked tirelessly as a criminal defense attorney, providing quality legal services as a public defender for those unable to afford a lawyer. Handling literally thousands of criminal cases, including about a dozen involving the death penalty, in 2007 the state of Kentucky recognized Lynda’s work and commitment with the Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award for “dedicated services & outstanding achievements in advocating the right to counsel for poor criminal defendants in Kentucky.” As a retiree, Lynda embraced her life-long passion for playing games and competitive sports (primarily tennis and golf, but also SCRABBLE and Upwords), pursued her sense of adventure by snorkeling in Hawaii and around the Caribbean, hiking in America’s national parks, and traveling internationally with her husband (Lesotho, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Europe). She also continued her deep commitment to helping others by generously sharing her legal and financial acumen in service to family, friends and local organizations, especially the Hope’s Wings domestic violence shelter in Richmond, Kentucky. Many will much miss Lynda’s big smile, contagious energy, frequent laughter, quick mind, and zest for living. Lynda had but two attitudes about life: enthusiasm and excitement.
A private service to celebrate Lynda’s life is 2 pm, Sunday, September 27th at Union Church in Berea. Due to COVID considerations, attendance is limited to family; for virtual attendance go to https://union-church.org/live-broadcast.
In lieu of flowers and other remembrances, please donate to Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program in Richmond, Kentucky (www.hopeswings.org) or to Bluegrass Hospice Care, a service of Bluegrass Care Navigators, in Lexington, Kentucky (www.bgcarenav.org), with many thanks from the family for your generosity.
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