Linda Miller Morris

Linda Miller Morris passed away peacefully the morning of April 15, 2013 at Hospice Atlanta in the loving company of her family. She was born October 6, 1947, and was the daughter of Mildred and Luther Miller, who preceded her in death. Linda fought a courageous battle against cancer with the grace and dignity that exemplified the way she lived her life. To the end, she never lost her fighting spirit and sense of humor. Linda was a Lavonia, Georgia native and graduated from Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina.

She has been the President/CEO of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC) for the last 19 years. Linda was the visionary behind the strategic development and growth of the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House programs, the cornerstone of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities. Linda is credited for the success of the two-phased House expansion which launched in 2005 with the capital campaign to build a new 50 room Ronald McDonald House in order to increase capacity by 300% and purchase property for Phase Two. The Phase One fundraising goal was exceeded in 2.5 years, and the new facility opened June 5, 2008 near Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. As a tribute to her many contributions and commitment to ARMHC, the Board of Directors named the Administrative Wing of the new House on Gatewood Road in her honor. She was currently leading the effort to complete Phase Two with a new 31 room Ronald McDonald House on Peachtree Dunwoody Road near Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Primarily due to her efforts, the capital campaign for Phase Two has now exceeded half of the campaign goal.

Prior to joining the staff of ARMHC, Linda held the position of Director of Community Relations for Scottish Rite Children's Healthcare System, one of the leading pediatric hospitals which merged in 1998 with Egleston Children's Healthcare System, to become Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Before joining the staff at Scottish Rite in 1989, Linda was President of the hospital's 500 member auxiliary and led the group in its first fundraising efforts. During her tenure at Scottish Rite, the hospital purchased and donated a home that would become the second Ronald McDonald House, which opened in 1994. As a key member of the development team, Linda's role included raising major funds for the construction and soliciting significant in-kind products and services for the new Ronald McDonald House, as well as encouraging volunteer and community support. She also guided the formation of volunteer groups to support both the new House and the first Atlanta House established in 1979.

Linda is a past member of RMHC's Global Advisory Council. She was a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Friends Volunteer Organization, Decatur, GA Rotary Club, and Peachtree Presbyterian Church. In 2005, Linda was selected by Atlanta Women Magazine as a candidate for Woman of the Year. In 2009, she was recognized by The Piedmont Review as one of Atlanta's Charitable Leaders. In July 2011, she was selected by Business to Business magazine to receive their Women of Excellence award given to Atlanta's most outstanding professional women. Anderson University honored Linda in January 2012 by presenting her with AU's Alumni Achievement Award to recognize her career achievements.

Linda is survived by her sister, Libby Miller Glenn and her husband, Lee Glenn; niece, Caroline Glenn Ryff and her husband, Christopher; nephew, Ryan Glenn and his wife, Zaira; grandnephew, Robert Glenn; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, April 17, at H.M. Patterson and Son- Arlington Chapel, Sandy Springs. A service to celebrate the wonderful life of Linda will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 18, at 11:00am. A reception will follow the service. Linda will be interred with the ashes of Boris, Kelly, and Jesse, the beautiful dogs that were her loving companions. Memorial contributions may be made to Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Capital Campaign, 795 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, or to Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318.