Linda Wise Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

Linda P. Wise, Woodward Academy's Chairman of the Performing Arts (retired) died January 27, 2006, following a two and a half year battle with cancer. For 42 years, Linda taught high school English and theater in Carroll County, Rockdale County, and for the last 22 years of her career, at the Woodward Academy Upper School in College Park, Georgia. Linda was Star Teacher for three of her five years in Carroll County, five times Governor's Honors Teacher in Theatre with Rosemary Newcott, Teacher of the Year for Rockdale County, and as an Honoree of the Georgia High School Theatre (Thespians) Hall of Fame. Her former students include Holly Hunter, Keith Thomas, Robert D. McNeill, Hylan Scott, Bill Johns, Victor Smith, Heather Heath, Stacy Holt, Jeff Edgerton, Hunter Bell, Debbie Bisno, Rod Thomas, Ken Cosby, Pam Joyce, Davis Kirby, Heather and Greg Isaacs, Suzanna Sanchez, Amanda Exley and others who have made or are making their careers in the performing arts. Her performing arts students have attended Carnegie Mellon, Webster, Northwestern, Princeton, Yale, S.U.N.Y., N.Y.U., U.N.C., F.S.U. and many other Universities and Conservatories in the Performing Arts throughout the U.S. Linda was responsible for a new generation of teachers from three generations of her students in Carroll County, Rockdale County and at Woodward Academy, including Janie Lane, Jerry D. Smith, Scott Shamp, Denise Chance Oravec, Spring Mason, Bill Johns, Meredith Eubanks, Dock Anderson and Hylan Scott, all of whom have made a difference and continued her legacy of excellence in teaching in Georgia high schools and colleges. Linda directed the Atlanta Children's Theater and founded The Depot Players, an avocational theatre group in Conyers, Georgia, in May of 1976. It's successor organization, The Conyers Olde Towne Players, is still in existence. Linda Patrick Wise was a bright spirit and a gifted teacher. She is survived by her husband, Henry J. Wise of College Park, her mother, Helen Patrick of Covington, her two brothers, Jim and Gary Patrick, and their families. She will be remembered well and missed by all who knew her. Her family plans a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Covington on Sunday, February 5 at 3:00 p.m. and a memorial service at Woodward Academy this spring to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution in memory of Linda to Woodward Academy. Wages & Sons. 770-469-9811.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Feb. 1, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Linda Wise

13 Entries

j mb

February 20, 2006

I first met Linda at a Georgia Thespian organizational meeting in Dublin, Georgia in 1985. I was the assistant drama director at John S. Davidson Fine Arts School in Augusta and when I entered the school building, I heard this boisterous laughter coming from one of the classrooms. My colleague at the time, the late Jim Grier of Augusta, told me "That's Linda Wise from Woodward Academy. You can't miss her laugh!" For four years, I was amazed by the energy and enthusiasm that this wonderful lady had for young people, theatre and teaching. I still use many of the techniques she taught at a teacher's workshop years ago in my present day drama classes. I am very sorry to hear of her passing. There was only one Linda Wise. God bless her family.

Lamuriel Adams

February 5, 2006

I was saddened to learn of the death of Linda Wise. Linda and I worked in the summer Governors Honors Program at Valdosta for many years. I was always amazed at how she could take a group of high school students and in six weeks put on the greatest theater performances I had ever seen. She was very talented and you could see it in the students. My prayers are with the family during this difficult time. She will be missed by all. May God Bless her soul and I am sure she is in Heaven preparing a cast to perform the "play" of life. It was wonderful knowing her.

Chad Darnell

February 4, 2006

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a legend. I was just doing a search on "Georgia Thespians" and I came across the announcement.

In high school (Class of 1991), Linda Wise was a mentor to me. She was that wonderful rock that encouraged, inspired, and loved. It was her beautiful nature and love of students and theatre that gave me the strength to pursue my own dreams. I owe my career as an actor, a writer, and casting director to those angels in my youth who dared me to reach beyond my abilities.

The one, single proudest moment of my high school career was winning the Georgia State Thespian Scholarship. I was so stunned I couldn't speak when I arrived on the stage in front of thousands of my peers. When we walked backstage, she put her arm around me and said, "baby, you're going to be huge one day."

I can only hope that one day I can inspire as many people as this wonderful, passionate, and caring woman did for me.

Tom Lewis

February 3, 2006

Linda had many great talents as a theatre director, as a teacher, and as a friend. One of her numerous gifts was the ability to see the potential in people then to help to carve and nurture that potential like a sculptor. I worked with Linda for 11 years at Woodward Academy and she allowed every person that she came into contact the chance to prove themselves. Even in failure she never stopped allowing a person the chance to be better than he knew he could be. There was only one of her kind. I am the teacher I am today because Linda Wise believed in me and helped me to discover myself. I love her and miss her.

Michael Irwin

February 2, 2006

Having worked with Linda Wise for over a decade, I am saddened that her bright spirit has passed beyond us. For those of us who remain, her gifts to our lives are legion. I am a better man for having worked with and loved Linda Wise, and I will always be grateful for everything she has done for me. I hope I pass it on half as well.

Betty & Jerry Botts

February 2, 2006

Hank,

Heaven is blessed to receive our wonderful Linda.How we have missed her at Woodward. We were blessed to be a friend to such a wonderful person.We just have to look at all of her kids as she called them to know how great she was.Be sure she will live on for years because of this. We love you and know if you need us we are here.

Betty & Jerry Botts

Woodward Academy

Kimberly Staples

February 2, 2006

Linda will be sorely missed by all of us involved with GA Thespians. We will always treasure the time we had with her!

Denise Moss

February 2, 2006

I was a student at Rockdale in the late 70's. Mrs. Wise would stop me in the hallway between classes and ask when I was going to take one of her classes I always shied away not wanting to do speeches or anything by myself infront of a class. My junior year I gave in and took a speech class from her. By the end of the class I was able to make speeches without any fear. There was something about her that was different than other teachers. Maybe it was her calming nature. I can't explain it but those who were around her know what I am talking about. Her teachings served and still serve me well thru college and now in the corporate world. Today the heavens are alive with "The Sound of Music". God Bless You Linda Wise!

nancy bingham

February 1, 2006

Mr B and I have fond memories of the times we spent with Linda during our Thespian experiences with our daughter, Lizabeth Bingham Dunne, Jerry Smith, Hunter Bell, Ken Cosby and many many other talented young people. She led by example and taught from the heart. I am sure she is already directing in the theatre department of the Pearly Gates. much love to all who loved Linda. Miz b

Lane (Fristoe) Waas

February 1, 2006

I only knew Linda for a short time, but remember her fondly. I was Director of Visual Arts when she came to Woodward. My sympathy to her family.

Bette Jo Mumford

February 1, 2006

Linda was such a great and gifted person. She and Hank were such great neighbors. Robert and I will miss her and her talent very much.

Wages & Sons Funeral Homes, Inc. Stone Mountain Chapel

February 1, 2006

We wish to extend our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.

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