Mrs. Linda Joan Averitt Lopeman, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at the age of 77, in Fayetteville after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Born Aug. 10, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Purdie Ray and Maggie Averitt. She was one of eight children and is survived by a sister, Millie Ashurst in Cedaredge, Colo. Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Francis J. Lopeman Jr. They were married for 53 years. She was a devoted mother of two children, Betty Jo Mackenzie of Orlando and Francis J. Lopeman III of Fayetteville. Linda was a proud grandmother of three, Frank James Lopeman of Fayetteville, Randall Starling and Shelley Starling of Orlando. She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Joshua, Christopher and Molly Taylor of Orlando. Linda was a lifelong resident of Fayetteville and a military wife for 22 years. The family will receive friends at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at 10 a.m., funeral services will follow in the chapel at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street. Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home of Fayetteville.