Linda Ulery

Linda “Nina” Ulery, age 76, of Cleveland, Georgia, peacefully passed in Athens, Georgia, on the morning of August 26, 2026, having last smiled and kissed her youngest granddaughter just hours before her passing.

Born in Albany, New York, to her loving parents, Linda was the first of four children born to the late Janet Smith and Harry Raymond Littler. The family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where she was the loving sister of Robert John Littler of Kennesaw, Georgia, married to Jennifer Littler; the late Joanne Littler Neeley of Lawrenceville, Georgia, married to John Neeley; and Thomas Raymond Littler, of Venice Florida, married to Cynthia Littler.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Eugene Ulery, on October 2, 2010, after 21 years of marriage.

Linda is survived by her son Christopher Burgess of Roswell, Georgia, and his wife, Traci, and their daughters, Jordan Elizabeth Burgess and Bailey Gray Burgess; and her youngest son, Bradford Wayne Burgess of Athens, Georgia, and his wife, Angela, and their children, Sage Conley-Mullis, Asa River Burgess, and Liliana Starr Burgess.

Through her marriage to Larry, Linda also gained a wonderful stepdaughter, Anastasia Preseau of St. Louis, Missouri. She is also survived by her grandson, Justin Preseau, and his wife, Shannah, and her first great grandchild, Remy Preseau.

She was an independent and strong soul who was raised formally catholic, teaching her to “love and share”. She graduated from St. Jospeh’s School of Nursing to work as a nurse as her father had always wanted for her. It is as a nurse she believed she learned to care for others so much; plus, from one memorable patient, to never say goodbye. She preferred to let you know she would come back to you. Later, she obtained a degree from Georgia State University moving on to an art degree from the Atlanta College of Art & Design, ultimately becoming an interior designer with a successful career at Trowbridge Interiors and as an independent designer. She also worked, like many in the family, from time-to-time with her father’s business, the Littler Food Brokerage Company.

Having lived in many cities throughout the South, she primarily resided in and near Atlanta, Georgia, sharing in the love of many friends she met along the way, especially in Marietta, Georgia. She felt that the banks of the Chattahoochee River were her “true home”. This became even more evident later in life after some solo travel across the country in her camper with her late dog and cat, Jake and Florence, to explore. Eventually, Linda found her way back, to living in her home on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Cleveland, Georgia, until her final years.

All the while, she always found time for her grandchildren and their animals at times, too. She loved them greatly.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Friendship Presbyterian Church 8531 Macon Hwy, Athens, GA 30606 . There will be a gathering of family at 12 p.m with a small reception for all to follow the memorial service at the church.

She wished only for a simple gathering, a time to celebrate her life and rejoice in one another. In her final years, Linda came to understand more deeply the importance of finding joy in others, a lesson she said came from the river where she “learned so much about herself”.

Any gifts, plants or flowers, donations to the Friendship Presbyterian Church, or the USO in Linda’s name, can be sent for the services to the church.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com