Across the American South this October, two families and their communities are remembering the lives of two remarkable women: Beverly Ann Lasseter Camp of Gainesville, Florida, and Linda Richter Thompson of Rogers, Arkansas. Both women, who passed away just days apart at the age of 80, left behind legacies defined by deep family bonds, lifelong friendships, and unwavering commitments to their communities.
Beverly Ann Lasseter Camp was born on November 11, 1944, in Miami, Florida, to Josephine Coleman Lasseter and Notley W. Lasseter, according to Gainesville Sun. She spent her childhood in both Miami and Gainesville, graduating from Gainesville High School in 1962. Beverly maintained close ties to both her Miami and Gainesville classmates, cherishing friendships that endured for decades and attending reunions for both schools long after graduation. Her loyalty to these connections was a hallmark of her character, as friends and family recall her as someone who "was dedicated to her families, was a true friend in good times and bad, and was a business person whose word was her bond."
On March 20, 1965, Beverly married Roy Owen Camp in Gainesville. Together, they raised two children, Dana Camp Fillmer and Randal Owen Camp, and built a family that would eventually include three grandchildren—TJ and Maddox Fillmer, Owen Camp—and two great-grandchildren, John and Marie Fillmer. Family was always at the heart of Beverly’s life, and she took great pride in watching it grow and flourish.
Beverly and Roy’s partnership extended beyond the home and into the world of business. They began their careers constructing homes alongside Roy’s father and brother-in-law before founding R.O. Camp Construction, a commercial building company that became a respected fixture in Gainesville. The couple worked side by side for over 30 years, with each crediting the other for the company’s success. Their business was a longstanding member of both the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and The Builders Association of North Central Florida. Among their many projects, Beverly held a special fondness for the Chapel at Trinity United Methodist Church, which she and Roy built and where her Celebration of Life will be held.
After Roy’s passing in 2008, Beverly entered a new chapter. During the so-called "empty nest" phase, she and her two sisters returned to the University of Florida to complete their bachelor’s degrees in Criminology, a decision inspired by their mother’s career as a teacher and Beverly’s own unfinished college education from years earlier. Earning her degree became a point of pride and a tribute to her mother’s legacy. Beverly’s life was also filled with adventure and joy—she loved traveling and boating with friends, was a devoted University of Florida Gator Football fan, and treasured every moment spent with her family.
According to Gainesville Sun, Beverly is survived by her children, Randal Owen Camp (Victoria, St. Augustine, FL) and Dana Camp Fillmer (Tom, Gainesville, FL); her grandchildren, Thompson Jeffrey Fillmer (Alexis, Gainesville, FL), Maddox Ann Fillmer (St. Augustine, FL), Owen Harrison Camp (St. Augustine, FL); her great-grandchildren, John and Marie; her sisters, Fay Lasseter and Charlotte Lasseter (Ed, Gainesville, FL); her sister-in-law Reba Camp Ridaught (Jerome, Gainesville, FL); three nieces and a nephew, along with several great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Roy.
A Memorial Service for Beverly will take place on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Chapel at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, with arrangements under the care of Williams Thomas Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences, as well as to honor Beverly’s memory with donations to causes close to her heart.
Meanwhile, in Rogers, Arkansas, the family and friends of Linda Richter Thompson are preparing to gather in remembrance of a woman whose life was shaped by faith, education, and service. Born April 16, 1945, in Stuttgart, Arkansas, to Theodore and Ruby Richter, Linda grew up in Gillett and graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics, as reported by Legacy.com and Nelson-Berna Funeral Home.
Linda began her teaching career in Greenland, Arkansas, but it was in Pine Bluff where she spent over 20 years inspiring young minds. She was known for her "special gift for inspiring children and helping them grow," always believing that education could shape the future. Colleagues and students alike remembered her as someone who "had a special gift for inspiring children and helping them grow, always believing in the power of education to shape the future."
Outside the classroom, Linda was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Hot Springs and, more recently, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers. Her faith was central to her life, and she served in several leadership roles within the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), including Treasurer of the Mid-Arkansas Zone. In this capacity, she collected mite money to support missions, living her faith "boldly and enthusiastically."
Linda’s interests extended to antiquing and sewing, but her greatest joy came from her family. She was a devoted wife to Henry Thompson Jr., with whom she shared 59 years of marriage. She cherished her role as "Gammy" to her grandchildren, delighting in every moment spent with them. Above all, she was known for her honesty, sense of humor, and a "warm, unforgettable laugh." Her love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came first, but her family followed closely behind in her affections.
Linda is survived by her husband, Henry Thompson Jr.; her son, Heath Thompson, and his wife Mandy; their children Emily Greer (married to Grayson Greer, parents of Phoebe Greer), Molly Thompson, and Lily Thompson; her son-in-law Mark Needler, and his children, Marabeth and Hamilton Needler. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Darrall Richter, and her daughter Michelle Needler.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the LWML at either First Lutheran Church in Hot Springs or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers, reflecting Linda’s lifelong dedication to service and faith.
Arrangements for Linda’s service are under the care of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Rogers. Her obituary was published online on October 23, 2025, inviting the community to honor her memory and the profound impact she had on so many lives.
Both Beverly Camp and Linda Thompson leave behind stories of resilience, generosity, and devotion. Their families, friends, and communities will gather in the coming days to celebrate lives well-lived, marked by love, laughter, and an enduring commitment to making the world a better place—one relationship, one classroom, one community at a time.