Killeen Women of Distinction Spotlight - Linda Pelton

Linda Pelton

Linda Grace Smith Pelton was born outside of Caldwell, Texas. She traveled and grew up around the world in Virginia, Germany, and France before her family settled in Killeen, Texas. She graduated from Killeen High School before going on to Prairie View A&M University. Soon after, she earned her Master’s from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. She has been married to her husband, Johnny, for over forty years and has four children and three grandchildren.

Since the time Linda was 13, she knew that she wanted to be a teacher and it was the perfect career for the life she led. Once her husband retired, she was able to combine her love for teaching and volunteering into one through her job as the First Parent/Community Facilitator. After completing her Master’s degree, she was Principal of Haynes Elementary School for nine years. She has made a commitment to being an educator and has continued to do so throughout her life. Currently, she serves as a student teaching supervisor, mentor, and temporary administrator.

Linda has always put volunteering at the center of her life, even as a child. When she was eight-years-old she became a Girl Scout and eventually worked her way to the rank of First Class which was the highest honor at the time. She began teaching Bible School from the time she was 13 and still continues to do so to this day. She spends her free time directing Vacation Bible Schools, assisting new converts in her church, and volunteering for Officer’s Wives Club and Meals on Wheels. On top of all of this, Linda has been an adult member of the Girl Scouts for the past 30 years and has held almost every volunteer position imaginable, last serving as the Board Chair for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas. Linda has been actively involved for 25 years with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority which eventually led to her co-chairing a regional conference, bringing together women from Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. In 2004, Linda was the founding president of the Killeen Area Alliance of Black School Educators. Linda truly believes that being given the opportunity to be an educator has been the greatest gift of her life.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, visit our website.