Dr. Linda Garrett's Obituary
Linda Darlene Garrett was born to Leonard and Clara Garrett on August 20, 1968 in San Francisco, California. Linda was the youngest girl of the couple, and could definitely be classified as “Daddy’s Little Girl.” She was his favorite, as she would say; and then came Loren (in her own words), her baby brother.
Linda attended school in the San Francisco Unified School District, graduating from Eldorado Elementary, Everett Middle School, and J. Eugene McAteer High School, having excelled in honors classes at every level. Linda was a lifetime learner. She continued her education, completing her bachelor’s and master’s degree at Sacramento State University, and doctoral degree at the University of San Francisco. “Dr. Garrett” is what we all had to call her! Dr. Garrett received her doctorate in International Multicultural Education.
Dr. Garrett loved learning and would always say she wanted to use her gifts and degrees to help the people. Linda was an amazing writer and had a way of telling you what you needed to know in simple language. Dr. Linda loved to tell parables – simple stories used to illustrate life lessons – and recently achieved on of her goals by publishing two pieces. The first is an article titled “It Is Well With My Soul: A Letter to My Nephew,” published in the International Journal of Human Rights Education. The second is a book chapter entitled, “A Cautionary Tale in the Elevating Marginalized Voices in Academe: Lessons to a New Generation of Scholars.”
Not only was Dr. Garrett an avid learner, most importantly, she was a child of God and a faithful servant. She was baptized and began serving at an early age, where she was a longstanding member of the Bayview Missionary Baptist Church. She served as an usher, choir member, and administrator/fixer. Whatever needed to be done in the house of the Lord, you could count on her to step in and fill the void. She labored in love. Dr. Garrett had a heart for God. She desired to help pastors with new church plants, and build a stronger community as well as capacity. She would often say, “The answer to all of the problems in the community can be fixed with the church”. She was a craftivist who combines her activism with a love of crafts in order to engage in and teach critical self-care. Dr. Garrett had over a decade of experience working for the state of California in varying capacities.
Aside from her passion and dedication to serve, Dr. Garrett loved her family dearly. Spending time with Linda meant getting to know her family. You would hear stories that would often end in roaring laughter. Those stories and memories would bring that vivacious smile across her face. Loving and spoiling her niece, Danangela and nephews, Daniel and Jay gave her so much joy; and the bond with her siblings was unbreakable.
Traveling was one of Dr. Garrett’s favorite pastimes, whether it be on a ship cruising or hopping on a train to travel up the coast that would be her sanctuary. Another pastime was Shopping! Can you say Walmart, QVC, Dollar Store, or Amazon Prime? Linda (and her sisters) absolutely loved to shop. Not only would she shop for herself, she would shop for others. If she saw something she thought someone would like or needed, she would buy it for them. Linda was extremely selfless, caring and generous with her giving. She poured into everyone she met. She never met a stranger, and people often felt encouraged in her presence. Linda’s wit, sass, humor, kindness, and bigger than life presence will forever be missed.
Linda joined her parents, Leonard and Clara and her nephew Ennis Johnson II (Jay) who preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory, her siblings: Cynthia Johnson, Deborah Johnson and Loren Garrett, (Ra’Shay), nephew Daniel Johnson III (Sylvia); nieces Danangela Johnson, La’Taejah Burton, and great nieces D’Auna, Da’Nia, and Ca’Lia. April Cowan and Sheila Hines (God sisters), Tatiana Coleman and Robert Cowan III (God children) and a host of other relatives, her Bayview Baptist Church Family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Linda?
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Share a story where Linda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Linda you’ll never forget.
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