Traci Lynn Ness

Dr. Traci Lynn Ness, 50, of Savannah, Georgia passed away on Sunday May 12, 2024
after a fierce battle with cancer. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on May 26, 1973. Traci
grew up in Enon, Ohio and graduated salutatorian from Greenon High School. Later she
attended Eckerd College in St Petersburg, Florida. Traci then earned her PhD of
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Florida followed by a Postdoc
at the University of Michigan. Traci eventually moved to Georgia to work as a professor
at Georgia Southern University - Armstrong Campus where she received university-
level recognition for her outstanding teaching: the Armstrong Kristina Brockmeier
Faculty Teaching and Service Award (2011) and the GSU Award for Excellence in
Contributions to Instruction (2019).

Traci was a devoted mother to her two adoring daughters Mikayla Day (11) and Olivia
Day (9.) She was a dedicated daughter to her mother Linda Ness and an encouraging
older sister to Kristine (Adam) Watkins. She was recently preceded in death by her
father Harry Ness.

Traci was a giving soul who was willing to aid anyone in need, even going so far as to
be a kidney donor to her ailing father. She poured her heart into her students and
worked to constantly grow as a mentor and instructor. A gracious colleague, she’d be
the first to welcome a new faculty member by providing all her teaching materials,
always stepping up when asked to serve, and could be relied upon to significantly
contribute. Traci ran marathons, enjoyed a good sale and managing her Mercari
account, and especially loved spending time with her family and friends. Her
compassion and dedication will be greatly missed, leaving a void that cannot be filled.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday June 2 at 2PM at the student union
ballroom of Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus. Memorials may be made
in Traci’s honor to the American Cancer Society or Hospice Savannah.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard but
always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.”