Joan Mae Ness

Joan Mae Ness (95) passed away on February 11, 2025, in Comer, Georgia. She was born to Louis and Florence Keck on November 2, 1929, in Garrettsville, Ohio. Joan had an older brother, Rod, and younger brother, David.

Her children include two daughters and two sons: Carson Ness, Carol (Don) Williamson, and Charley (Pam) Ness, and Theodore Ness. Grandchildren include Amy (Lee) Irving, Colleen Baucom, Dae Miller, who preceded her in death, and Francis (Chad) Beaver, Raisa (Shawn) Craine, Kenneth Ness, and Keith Ness. In addition Joan had 15 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Joan grew up around the Garrettsville and Ravenna area in northeast Ohio. As a child she would visit her grandfather Poots’s farm where she would ride atop a plow horse’s back on the way home from his day of plowing and cool off in the summer in the creek. Joan took her drivers test in a Model-T Ford.

After graduating from high school, Joan earned an associate degree from Lakeland College in Ohio and a BS degree from the University of North Carolina. Joan worked a variety of jobs. Her favorite one was working as the personnel director for the Galveston Ship Building Company in Galveston, Texas. She loved relating her stories about her experiences and of the people she met while working there.

In her free time, Joan loved going shopping. She had a keen eye for quality and the unusual. In addition to shopping, Joan loved reading mystery books and wrote stories of her own. Joan loved dogs and was always a dog owner.

Joan loved being with her family. She also loved her caregivers at Comer Health and Rehab where she often told them, “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.” Joan’s family would like to thank the staff at Comer Health and Rehab for their kindness, compassion, and care they showered on her.

A private memorial gathering will be held at a later time.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her. 

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, East, Athens, GA is assisting the family with arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com