Mary Linda Dorley

Mary Linda (Garant) Dorley, 83, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away peacefully and was surrounded by love on November 16th, 2025. She was born on October 10, 1942, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to Richard Oliver and Mary Alyce Cotter Garant.

Mary Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Francis Roberta "Bobbie" Rogers and Nancy Jean Powell.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Donald James Dorley; her daughter, Jami Lynn (Joe) Poplar; and her sister, Candis Lee (Bailey) Joiner; nieces and nephews, Tom (Jayna) Joiner, Eva (Jerry) Strickland, Joe (Nerissa) Tenpenny, Karen (Dave) Pitcock, Mark (Rhonda) Rogers; great nephews and great nieces, Emily (Devin) Hicks, Zach (Megan) Wordell, Bailee (Eli) Richardson, Matt Ray, Grant Pitcock, Dawson Pitcock, Clay Rogers; great-great nieces, Olivia, Charlotte, Ella Hicks, Callie, Kinsley Richardson.

Mary Linda spent many years working for Wellstar Health System, but her greatest joys were found with family and friends and on the tennis court. A lifelong lover of tennis-and later pickleball-she competed in and won numerous tournaments and titles. She instilled her love of the sport in her daughter, too. Her passion for the game was matched only by her ability to connect with people. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and had an open heart and a friendly smile for all. She had a kind and warm spirit.

Friends and family will remember Mary Linda for her genuine and contagious smile, generous spirit, sweet sense of humor, and fierce love for her family. Her legacy of kindness and warmth will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Her family meant the world to her, and she meant the world to her family.

The family will honor her privately; no public services are planned.