Linda B Gambrell

Linda Buchanan Gambrell, 82, wife of Lawrence A. (Bub) Gambrell, died August 5, 2024. Born in Anderson, SC, she was the daughter of the late Kathrine Prather Buchanan and Woodrow N. Buchanan. Linda and Bub have one son, Michael Holbrook Gambrell, who lives in Chandler, AZ. Linda was a graduate of Hanna High School and Anderson Junior College (now Anderson University). In 1962, Linda and Bub were married and in 1963 they moved to Maryland, finding a wonderful community of lifelong friends.

 Linda graduated from the University of Maryland, earning her B.S., M.Ed. and Ph.D. She was a classroom teacher and reading specialist in the Prince Georges County (MD) public schools, taught reading and literacy courses at Hood College, and later at the University of Maryland where she later served as Associate Dean for Research. In 1999, Linda and Bub moved back to SC and Linda assumed the position of Director of the Eugene T. Moore School of Education at Clemson University. She served as Director until 2005 when she was elected President of the International Reading Association (IRA), a professional organization with over 90,000 members in over 100 countries world-wide.  She also served as President of National Reading Conference, and College Reading Association. In 2006 she was named Clemson University Distinguished Professor of Education.

She was a former third and fifth grade teacher and reading specialist.  She was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame.  She also wrote books on reading instruction and published articles in major journals.  Linda devoted herself to gardening and promoting literacy. She loved literature and shared her passion for reading with everyone. 

In lieu of flowers , the family requests that friends and family donate to the charity of their choice, to the Parkinson’s Foundation, to Clemson University College of Education, the University of Maryland College of Education, or Anderson University College of Education.  A service for family and friends was held at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church in Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Tributes to Linda from her friends and colleagues may be read at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MSo6SdVQiZyTsWXYcOLXiAlF5VxqYPhu/view?usp=sharing