Linda Karr
I am a native Atlantan and grew up in Decatur. My husband, John, and I bought our house in Smoke Rise in 1998.
Most of my career has been spent as a nurse specializing in oncology and public health but I have been a gardener even longer. My grandparents owned a 17-acre farm on Silver Hill Road (across from the old elementary school) where I got my earliest introduction to all types of gardening. I am a certified Georgia Master Gardener in Dekalb County and a Georgia Master Naturalist. In 2008, I and two others started The Garden Enthusiast online and participated in Master Gardener shows around the Southeast. In April 2011, with the help of my family, I opened The Garden Enthusiast – Backyard Nature Station on Main Street in Tucker. In 2015 we opened the 6, 000 square foot Children’s Garden in the surrounding alleyway as an extension of The Garden Enthusiast to encourage children’s interest in nature. I have written newsletters since the 1970’s for medical professionals and patients and since 2011 on nature-related topics as well as being an educator and speaker.
My volunteer work has been with health, non-profit county, state, and national organizations. Locally that includes serving as President of the Metro Atlanta Oncology Nursing Society, President of the Dekalb College Alumni Board, President of the Old Town Tucker Merchant’s Association, and a member of Gwinnet Habitat for Humanity, SRCA, Kanawha Homeowner’s Association and others. I have also been involved with many of the local nature-related groups.
In retirement, my passions include gardening, gourmet cooking, reading, entertaining, and spending time with my family. We have six children, eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.