In Memory of Linda Baxter Emory
Linda Baxter Emory, FSA, MAAA, the first female actuary in the state of Georgia in 1965 and former Society of Actuaries’ (SOA) Board member, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2020. She was 81.
Emory had a long and successful career that started with Life of Georgia Insurance Company in 1963. She was the first woman to join the ranks as officer of the company in 1968. Eventually ING acquired Life of Georgia, and Emory continued to be promoted through the years until her retirement in 2000 as executive vice president of ING North America Insurance Company. She was the first woman to hold a senior executive position on the ING US team. Her accomplishments contributed significantly to ING Americas, a company that eventually had the highest percentage of women senior executives of any financial company.
Her commitment to the actuarial profession and the SOA was extensive. She served as an SOA Board member from 1991–94, 1982–84 and 1977–80.
Emory served on the editorial board for the SOA website; was a member of The Actuary’s editorial board; and was first vice-chair and chairman of the Program Committee. She also served on the SOA’s international Council.
In addition, she authored several articles for various SOA publications including The Actuary, Transactions, and The Record of the Society of Actuaries.
Emory is survived by her husband of 61 years, Joe Boyd Emory, son, Scott Emory and wife Renee, daughters, Cathy Reilly and husband Steve, and Christia Emory, grandchildren, Michael Reilly and wife Stephanie, Savannah Reilly and Roxanna Shipman, great-grandchild, Hassara Shipman, brothers, James Oswald Baxter and wife Betty, and Norman Philip Baxter and wife Tammy.
A loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, grandmother and friend, Emory combined her love for family with her love for cooking and traveling throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to acknowledge the charity that has done so much to help her family, the American Kidney Fund. Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com.