Linda Wamack Garber

Born on a sunny Easter morning on April 9, 1944, in Chattanooga, TN, Linda graduated High School from the Chattanooga Central High School (1962). She then attended East Tennessee State University where she triple majored in Education, Mathematics, and English Literature (1965).

At ETSU, she met her lifelong travel partner and husband, David Gerald Garber. The two drove through a snow-storm to North Carolina on New Year’s Eve 1963 to be married. They have been inseparable ever since, residing in Tennessee, Arizona, and Texas.

Linda’s life was marked by curiosity, laughter, and exploration. She taught high school students in Tennessee and Texas. In the mid-1980s, as computer technology boomed, Linda turned her attention to training educators how to adapt to and use these tools. In 1992, she earned a Master of Arts in Education from Stephen F. Austin University, and ended her career as a Director of Technology for the Jacksonville Independent School District in Texas.

Upon her retirement in 2000, Linda and Dave began traveling together all over North America in their RV. Always a creative person, she was able to spend more time quilting and painting. She never stopped teaching, helping anyone who showed an interest in crafting with their projects and techniques. Most of all, she taught her children and grandchildren how to live, love—and whenever possible—to just be silly and enjoy life.

Family was of utmost importance to Linda, also known as Dee Doll to her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Dave, their daughter Mary Alaine Medio and son-in-law Frank Medio, their grandchildren Sarah Amanda Medio and Samantha McKenzie Medio, her son David Garber, Jr. and her daughter-in-law Michelle Brooks Garber. She is also survived by her older sisters, Bobbie Helton and Katy Ross, along with too many nieces and nephews to name, all of whom she adored.

A visitation will be held at The East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home from 2-4 PM Wednesday, December 20 with a memorial service beginning at 4 PM. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent in Linda’s name to St. Jude Children Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?promo=srch&sc_dcm=58700008008698866&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&ds_rl=1290690&ds_rl=1291300&ds_rl=1285465&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIit2m_IKSgwMVOTzUAR3OxQ5vEAAYASAAEgIoovD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds).

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