SHELBY, N.C. - Brian Russell Linder, 35, of Shelby, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in Kings Mountain, N.C., as the result of a motor vehicle accident.

Born March 30, 1974, in Kinston, N.C., he was the son and stepson of Keith and Frances Linder of Chesnee and J.P. and Marcelle Crocker Elm of Gaffney. A 1992 graduate of Spartanburg High School, he received his BA and MA degrees from Gardner-Webb University and was currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree from Walden University. He was an assistant principal at Whitlock Junior High School and formerly served at Fairforest Middle School, Burns Middle School in Fallston, N.C., and in Cherokee County. He was a member of Pacolet Mills Baptist Church and attended Cannons Baptist Church and Putman Baptist Church in Shelby. He was a member of New Millennium Wrestling League.

Other survivors include a brother, Fred Linder and his wife, Trisha, of Greenville; his maternal grandmother, Virginia H. Crocker of Spartanburg; a special friend, Jessica Hamalainen of Shelby; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Louie E. Crocker, and his paternal grandparents, Fred and Virginia Linder.

Services will be held Thursday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m. at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, conducted by the Revs. Johnny Smith and the Darrell Revels. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Brian R. Linder Remembrance Fund, c/o Spartanburg School District 7, P. O. Box 970, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

The family is at their respective homes.

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.