Mary Yopp Cronley

Mary was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 12, 1955, to John William Yopp II and Mary Ann Hopkins Yopp. She graduated Northside High School in 1974 before attending the University of Georgia. She went on to become the third generation of her family to run John W. Yopp Publications.

During Mary’s youth, she spent her time enjoying music, travelling to concerts, playing tennis, and collecting innumerable stories with her friends and family along the way.

In 1986, she married Joseph Martin Cronley of Atlanta, Georgia. They lived together in Atlanta for seven years before moving to Beaufort, South Carolina, in 1993. While in Beaufort, they grew their business, became active members of their community and church, and enjoyed their time in the lowcountry boating and fishing.

On August 10, 1997, Mary and Joe welcomed their first child, Joseph Martinangele Cronley, fulfilling Mary’s lifelong dream of being a mother. On May 7, 1999, they welcomed a set of triplets, John Thomas Cronley, Francis Hopkins Cronley, and William Ezekiel Cronley. Her children were her single greatest joy; it was obvious to anyone she met that she was extremely proud of her sons. Mary would go on to become a proud grandmother to Genevieve Willow

Sylvester in August 2025.

Mary, affectionately known as “Dirl,” never stopped pursuing her passions. She was an avid writer, tennis player, gardener, and dog mom. She will always be remembered for her charming demeanor and gregarious personality. Mary spoke in superlatives and hyperboles. Everything was always the “best,” the “most,” or the “greatest.” She had the ability to make any mundane thing feel like a monumental achievement. We will miss her cheery exclamations of “Have you ever!?” She saw the world through a unique lens and with a deep belief in its inherent goodness and beauty. Her family and community (both human and canine) could not have asked for a

better mother, grandmother, or friend. Mary will be deeply missed, and her memory will live on through the hearts and stories of those who loved her.

Mary Yopp Cronley was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ann Hopkins Yopp, and her father, John William Yopp Jr. She is survived by her brother John William Yopp III, son Joseph Martinangele Cronley (partner Noah John Roesler), son John Thomas Cronley Sylvester (wife Beverley Frances Sylvester), granddaughter Genevieve Willow Sylvester, son Francis Hopkins Cronley, and son William Ezekiel Cronley (wife Hope Marie Bobak-Cronley).

A celebration of life will be held for Mary on January 31st, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Millennium Gate Museum, 395 17th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30363.