Linda Kirven McDougal

Linda Kirven McDougal, 79, of Atlanta, GA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on March 4, 1947, in Mobile Alabama, she and her younger sister (Marjene) and brother (Billy) thrived on the values of hard work and discipline instilled by a WWII veteran father, William Kirven, and Catholic faithful mother, Margaret Kirven. After graduating from Bishop Toolen High School, she attended the University of Alabama where she cheered on the Tide while earning a degree in biology. She soon added a Master of Science from Georgia State University to her resume after moving to Atlanta to begin a prodigious career as a microbiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1969.

Linda's distinguished career at the CDC spanned over four decades and included over eighty publications on the research of infectious diseases. Her work particularly helped advance the understanding of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA), leaving a lasting impact on the field of microbiology and on the health of countless individuals. 

At the CDC, Linda met her husband, Dr. John Steven McDougal who preceded her in death. Together they raised three children, Peter McDougal, John (Amber) McDougal, and Margaret "Maggie" (Robert) McDougal. Away from the laboratory, Linda dedicated herself to her family by cooking delicious meals (with the exception of burnt rolls), getting her husband to fix things around the house (not just fun projects from This Old House), calling balls and strikes at her sons' baseball games, infiltrating herself into the gossip of Maggie's friends, and enjoying sunsets at the lake. In addition to her scientific mind, Linda endowed an artistic eye and decorated her home with her not-too-shabby paintings and photographs that captured family memories. She was immensely proud of her children, and they will always remember her for her passion, sharp mind, and sense of humor. 

In addition to her children, Linda is survived by her beloved sister, Marjene Jordan and brother-in-law, Kyle Jordan, as well as her niece, Kim Ann Kisner, grandchildren (Lucas, Elanor, and Amara), extended family members, dear friends, and former colleagues whose lives were enriched by knowing her.

A mass celebrating Linda's life will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, GA on August 1st, 2026 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations in Linda's memory to:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

https://www.stjude.org