Teri Marinko, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on March 30, 2026.

Born in Lubbock, Texas, on January 29, 1952, to Jack and Kathryn Holliday, Teri was the eldest of three children and a loving sister to Toni Plaster and Gala Wonder. 

Teri lived a life centered on family, love, and connection. She is survived by her three children: Kara (Marc), Hunter, and Jesse (Heather), and bonus son, Darren (Shelli), along with nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, each of whom she loved deeply and took immense pride in.

 Her grandchildren include Hannah and Lacy; Myla and Jaxson; Hudson and Colt; Blakely Belle; and Zach and Kyle. Her great-grandchildren—Karoline Kathryn, Weston, Denver, Callie, and Benjamin—were a special source of joy in her later years. 

She met the love of her life, John “Buddha” Marinko, through her sister Gala in St. Louis in 1979. Eventually getting married Christmas Day 1980.

 In 1981, Teri moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she built both a beautiful family life and an extraordinary professional career.

She had a passion for plants and flowers, which led her to open a small flower shop called The Mini Green Shoppe—a reflection of her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Teri’s professional journey was defined by leadership and impact. She held roles at Psychiatric Institute of America, Charter Medical Corporation, Emory Healthcare, Sunrise Senior Living, Benchmark Senior Living, and Phoenix Senior Living, where she served as Chief Brand Officer until her retirement in March 2020.

Above all, Teri will be remembered for her warmth, strength, and the way she made people feel. She had a gift for bringing people together and making others feel seen and valued.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00PM Friday April 10th in the sanctuary of Canton First Methodist Church. A visitation will be held from 11:00AM until the Funeral hour. Dr. Kenny Ott will officiate. A private interment will be in Georgia National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to Cure Childhood Cancer.

The service will be livestreamed via Canton First Methodist Church.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ms. Teri Holliday Marinko.