Dr. Linda Farmer Remembered Fondly by Her Healthcare Family
February 16, 2022
Amazing. Compassionate. Devoted. Intelligent. Wonderful. Attentive.
These are just a few of the words voiced by patients, employees and other admirers of Dr. Linda Farmer to describe the petite oncologist with the big heart who died on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, following her own battle with cancer. Dr. Farmer was 51.
Her passing comes after 18 years of helping patients bravely fight cancer at the Spencer Cancer Center and is a tremendous loss to her healthcare community. Here are comments from several people closely tied to Dr. Farmer.
Laura Grill, President and CEO of East Alabama Health
“Linda was one of the kindest, most beautiful souls I ever met. She was very passionate about her calling as an oncologist. Her patients adored her and her team of physicians and employees at the Spencer Cancer Center admired her intellect, her determination and her caring demeanor for each and every patient. We’re heartbroken to lose her from our East Alabama Health family, but devastated more for her husband and son, Kermit and Spencer. We will do all we can to continue to support them. And we will pay perpetual tribute to Dr. Farmer at the Spencer Cancer Center with a memorial for all to see as they pass through the hallways there.”
Joel Pittard, M.D., Chair of the East Alabama Health Board of Directors
“Linda was very special to all who knew her. She was highly respected by our medical staff and was a resolute advocate for her patients. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I extend my deepest sympathies to her family, patients and the Spencer Cancer Center staff.”
Brandon Johnson, M.D., Spencer Cancer Center oncologist
“Dr. Farmer was a devoted mother, trusted friend, respected colleague and outstanding physician. She helped grow the cancer treatment program into what it is today. Her devotion and ability to relate to her patients was incomparable. She did not consider them patients, but more friends or family. She was a presence that will be truly missed. Words cannot express the impact that she had on every life she touched.”
Chris Waits, Executive Director of Oncology at the Spencer Cancer Center
“Dr. Farmer was an anchor for the Spencer Cancer Center. Her patients absolutely adored her. She spent countless hours outside of normal business operations to ensure that her patients had what they needed to combat their diagnosis. Even when it came to her own diagnosis, she had her patients on her mind. She personally crafted a letter to them detailing her diagnosis and encouraging them to ‘fight’ with her. This is a testament to who she was both as a physician and as a person. Her passing has been extremely difficult for our team here, but we rest assured knowing she is in a better place. She may be gone from us physically, but her impact will always and forever be a part of Spencer Cancer Center.”
Chris Clark, V-P of Patient Care Services for East Alabama Health
“Dr. Farmer loved her patients and her team at the Spencer Cancer Center. There was never a doubt, if you were a patient of Dr. Farmer, that you were well cared for. Her faith and family were as important to her as her service to others. Clearly, she was gifted to do this work. Only heaven knows how many people have been impacted by her life. At the time of her passing, I was reminded of 2 Timothy 4:7, which states ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ I believe Linda accomplished that.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the EAMC Foundation for the Spencer Cancer Center Patient Fund or to the Lee County Humane Society.
A memorial service for Dr. Farmer will be held at Auburn United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 26 at 5 p.m. (NOTE: this is a time change from what was originally announced). There will be no visitation and no graveside service.
Please click here to view her obituary.
