Dr. Lynda Ruth Campbell, a native of Sardis, received degrees in special education therapy and speech pathology at Ole Miss. After earning a Ph.D. from Howard University in 1985, she joined the faculty at St. Louis University in 1989. Recognized nationally for her scholarly work, the Lynda R. Campbell Memorial Lecture Series at SLU was established following her death in 2001. One of thirteen children of David and Nezzie Campbell, she was a member of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church.