Martha McNiel Stelling

Martha McNiel Stelling, 70, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024, in her home in Atlanta, GA surrounded by loved ones. Martha was born on October 3, 1954, in Atlanta, to parents William Hobgood McNiel and Maude Elizabeth McDaniel McNiel. She spent an active and joyful childhood in College Park, GA where she could be found running free around the neighborhood, laying out miniature golf in her backyard, obsessing over her baseball card collection and avidly following the Atlanta Braves. Martha had one sibling, her beloved older sister, Nancy McNiel Long.

Martha’s father, Bill, gave her the childhood nickname of “Mop,” a light-hearted nickname that fittingly reflected her fun-loving nature that was ever-present at every stage of her life. Martha graduated from College Park High School in 1972 where she was involved in too many activities to name, including Student Council, President’s Council, orchestra, President of the National Honor Society, and a sports editor for the yearbook. Martha was the captain of the varsity cheerleading team, a member of the tennis team, named a class sweetheart her junior year and then named an Outstanding Senior. She received senior superlatives from her classmates for “Most Likely to Succeed” and “Best Personality,” the latter a fitting recognition of one of her defining traits that never waivered throughout her life. The faculty awarded her the prestigious Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup for best all-around student.

After high school, Martha attended the University of Georgia from 1972-1976, graduating as a recreational therapist. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, an experience she thoroughly loved, and maintained close friendships with many of her sorority sisters for the rest of her life. During her time at UGA, Martha met her future husband of 44 years, Edouard Louis Stelling III of Augusta. They married in 1980 and proved to be great partners in raising three sons - Ed, Daniel and John. Ed and Martha lived happily in Atlanta for the entirety of their marriage.

Martha was the best mother and “boy mom” imaginable to her three sons. Her lifelong love of sports and her athletic ability made her an ideal mother to three sports-loving sons. She happily spent countless hours playing sports with her sons at a high level, something most young boys are not fortunate enough to experience. Her passion for University of Georgia athletics and the Atlanta Braves, both developed as a child, were passed along to her three boys, and the family made countless memories over the years involving trips to Athens and around the country following the Bulldogs and were huge fans of the Atlanta Braves during their magical run in the 1990s. She relished acting as the family epicenter of all goings-on, a role which continued through the last weeks of her life ensuring UGA football tickets were properly distributed to her sons. Martha wanted nothing more than to spend time with her family, and the feeling was shared by her husband and boys. Whether they were in Atlanta, Athens, the lake, the beach, or anywhere in between, they all felt at home when they were together. As much as her husband and sons appreciated Martha’s love of sports and fun-loving demeanor, it was her endless patience and unconditional love for her husband, sons and grandchildren that they treasured the most.

Martha was a devoted mother and involved in all aspects of her sons’ lives. She was Co-President of the Morris Brandon Elementary PTA, always active with class and team parties and activities, and a member of the Junior League of Atlanta. Martha was an avid ALTA tennis player, a season ticket holder for Broadway Atlanta at the Fox Theater, and a friend to so many.

Martha was just as beloved as a grandmother as she was a mother. She became known to her grandkids as “Mop,” repurposing the nickname bestowed upon her by her father. Her house became known as “Camp Mop,” a place where grandkids could always find Mop and her ever-present goofiness, playfulness, laughter and joy. It became immediately apparent that Mop would be cherished by her grandchildren in the same way she was loved by her boys. The family will always remember some of her favorite sayings, known as “Mopisms,” such as “it’s hard work having fun” in reference to vacationing with children. The immensity of the grief her absence has left behind is matched only by the immensity of love from all lucky enough to have known her.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her husband, Ed; son William Edouard Stelling (Ed), his wife Ginny and daughter Frankie; son Joseph McDaniel Stelling (Daniel), his wife Blakeney and children Louie and Mackie; son John McNiel Stelling, his wife Virginia and children Hamilton and Louise; sister Nancy McNiel Long and her family of Birmingham, AL; brothers-in-law Kessel Stelling, Jr. and Mitch Stelling and their families; and the latest of her beloved labrador retrievers, “Boomer.” The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers Rita, Loretta, Sharon, Taiwo, and Yolanda.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Thursday November 21, 2024, at H.M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe-Hill Chapel located at 4550 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, with a visitation to follow. A private family burial will take place the following day at Fairburn City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family asks consideration of a memorial donation to the Atlanta Humane Society, 1551 Perry Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 or a charity of your choice.