Linda Underwood, 65, served on Jekyll, music boards

Linda Underwood immersed herself in any activity that benefited the community.

When her daughter Jill was a harpist for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Mrs. Underwood became a cheerleader of sorts for the group. ASO officials took notice.

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Linda Underwood supported the Atlanta Children’s Shelter and other local projects.

Underwood, the “harp mom,” was tapped to serve on the ASO board of directors, a post she held two years. Community awareness became her forte.

“She would get two violin players and a cello player and they would go to libraries and community centers all over the city,” said her husband, Norman Underwood of Atlanta. “She made the schedule for professional musicians to play. She had this view that classical music was a way to get diverse segments of the city to relate to each other.”

Linda Underwood, 65, of Atlanta died Saturday from ovarian cancer at her home. The memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at North Avenue Presbyterian Church. H.M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In 1965, the LaGrange native graduated from the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia. She worked briefly at WGTV in Athens and Atlanta’s WAGA, basically handling administrative assignments.

During Gov. George Busbee’s administration, Mrs. Underwood assisted first lady Mary Beth Busbee in the Governor’s Mansion. She helped plan and host events, including affairs that drew high-profile guests such as Prince Charles.

“One of the things we treasured were the international visitors,” said her husband, who was executive secretary. “It was an era in which a lot of prominent people came and stayed at the mansion.”

But her husband said it wasn’t Mrs. Underwood’s work experiences that defined her. She battled ovarian cancer for 16 years with grace and embraced projects that uplifted her spirit and the community.

“She was a big proponent of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and she wanted to see that group flourish,” said its conductor, Jere Flint. “She was one of the gems on the board, just enthusiastic about people learning about the arts.”

Mrs. Underwood also served as director of the Franklin Pond Chamber Music Group and the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. In 2001, then-Gov. Roy Barnes appointed her to the Jekyll Island Authority board. She played an integral role in the establishment of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a marine research, rehabilitation and education facility.

“She wouldn’t take credit for it,” her husband said, “but on her watch she helped raise the awareness level of the loggerhead turtles.”

Additional survivors include a daughter, Jill Roberts; and two sons, Lee Underwood and Ned Underwood, all of Atlanta.