Marion Douglas “Dooley” Miller was born on May 24th, 1953 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Booker T. Miller Sr. of Pacolet, South Carolina. Dooley was a 1971 graduate of Pacolet High School and a 1975 graduate of Presbyterian College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History. He was Presbyterian College’s first African American student-athlete, first African-American male graduate and served as captain of the men’s basketball team. Dooley served as President of the African American Alumni Association and the Presbyterian College National Alumni Association. He earned his Masters of Education Degree plus 30 hours of graduate work in 1991 from Converse College. Dooley was a Connecting Link through his wife’s involvement with The Spartanburg (SC) Chapter of the Links, Incorporate and a member of the Eleven Gents Social Club.
Dooley was an avid lover of sports. In high school, he excelled at every sport he played but he had a special gift for the game of basketball. While in high school, Dooley held every offensive record in Pacolet High School’s history. He was named Broome High School’s varsity men’s head basketball coach at age 26 and not only taught young men the fundamentals of basketball but was a role model for them on and off the basketball court. Many of his former players described him as a loving, caring and compassionate coach who truly cared for every student and player he encountered.
Dooley was a retired educator with Spartanburg County School District 3 where he served in the capacity of a teacher, coach, guidance counselor and an administrator to thousands of students across Spartanburg County. Dooley was loved and respected by his students and colleagues and was known for his incredible sense of humor, his loving and infectious spirit and his ability to command a room by simply smiling.
Outside of Dooley’s numerous accomplishments in the classroom and on the basketball court, people knew Dooley for his character. Most people described Dooley as the “friendliest person you will ever meet.” He was a man of integrity, good morals and strong values and had the unique ability to never meet a stranger. Dooley was a strong Christian man and was a faithful servant of God who truly strived to live like Christ in his everyday walk. He was a member of the Faith Tabernacle Church of Spartanburg where he served faithfully on the Deacon Board, led the First Impressions Ministry and was an active member of the Men’s Sunday School class.
Left to cherish his fond and loving memories are: his loving and devoted wife of 32 years, Margarette Bell Miller, his daughters, Syreeta Nicole Dendy of Spartanburg and Marian “Lustra”-Bell Miller of Greenville; his son, Titus Anthony Miller, Sr. of Spartanburg; his two granddaughters, Tieraney Aaliyah Miller and Kali Rose Miller; his grandson, Titus Anthony Miller, Jr.; his brothers, Maxie Miller (Yvonne) of Boiling Springs and Booker T. Miller, Jr. of Pacolet; his special niece, Katherine Burgess Crosby of Spartanburg; his special nephew, Ronald King, Jr. of Greenville,; and a host of special aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Dooley left his earthly home and entered the gates of Heaven on the morning of January 10th, 2024 at Spartanburg Medical Center surrounded by his family. He lived a beautiful life full of love, kindness, generosity and his legacy will live on for years to come.

A Celebration fo the Life of Marion Douglas "Dooley" Miller will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 700 S. Converse St., Spartanburg, SC. Burial will be in the Heritage Memorial Gardens,3901 S. Church St., Roebuck, SC.