Linda Jo Burris McGalliard

After graduation from MPA, I attended the Southern Missionary College in their BS Nursing program. Graduated from there in December, 1968. Returned to Orlando to work in surgery at Florida San & Hosp until September of '69 then moved back to NC and worked in our County Hospital there until March of 1970. Moved to Loma Linda at that time with the intent of getting my Masters in Nsg. Went to work in the OR there and when they offered their first class in Nurse Anesthesia, I signed up. Graduated in Sept. 1974, and worked as a clinical instructor in their Nurse Anesthesia program until I married my first husband in 1976. He was a career Air Force fellow so within a year we were moved to Sacramento, California. Loved Sacramento so stayed on there until after that marriage ended in divorce and moved back to Albemarle, NC in 1991. As my Mother always said, "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't get the country out of the girl?". So true of me. I loved living in my home in the middle of the woods there. The birds had "choir practice" every morning, and I loved the southern life style. I met again the love of my life while living there and after we married in 1995, moved to Atlanta. We've been married almost 19 years, and I can truthfully say, it's been the happiest, and the worst years of my life. The happiest because we have a wonderful marriage, and the worst because during that time we've lost both of our Mothers. God has been so good to me in giving me the family I always wanted. Even though I didn't "birth" our two sons, I love them as if I had. I had to retire early after having a craniotomy for a 5cm menningioma in 2004. I was unable to work a full 8 hours after the surgery. I now have a limp but am so grateful that the Lord has seen fit to give me a good support system in my family. We have a wonderful little church here in Woodstock, GA that we attend, at which I occasionally play the piano for Sabbath School. Both Gary and I are retired, and I thoroughly enjoy his company, and the time we have to share our lives with each other, family, and friends. God is good.

Remember walking down to breakfast with Dianne Stoney Watkins, and Edward Pumphrey horsing around, laughing and playing "kick the can". We took turns at being the can. Dianne was always so much fun. We always laughed a lot with her.

Also remember going to Bible Conference. One of the true highlights of my school experience.