Milledgeville - Eleyce Ard Usery (Lisa) passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, after a long illness. She was under the care of Family Hospice of Milledgeville at the time of her death, having received last rites from Rev. David Probst of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, where she was a member. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, wit, and unwavering dedication to her family, friends, and students.

Eleyce's north star was her Christian faith. When asked what she wanted to achieve before she left this earth, she always quoted the Biblical Parable of the Talents in the book of Matthew (25:23): "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

She was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Feb. 12, 1948, her father's 28 birthday. She was proud to have been born a "real Wyoming cowgirl," who shared a birthdate with President Abraham Lincoln. As a child, Eleyce lived in Memphis, Tenn., and Macon, Ga. She graduated from McEvoy High School in Macon, Ga., in 1966, and earned a bachelor of science degree from Georgia College in Milledgeville in 1972. She taught mathematics (algebra, geometry, and calculus) for 26 years collectively at Ballard-Hudson Middle School in Macon, Ga., McEachern and Lassiter High Schools in Powder Springs and Marietta, Ga., Savannah Country Day School in Savannah, Ga., and Darnell-Cookman Middle School in Jacksonville, Fla.

Mrs. Usery was known for her pop quizzes and ever-present projector, transparencies, and dry erase pens, her essential teaching tools. She retired from teaching in 2002.

She lived in Cobb County, Georgia, Savannah, Ga., and northeast Florida, until moving to Milledgeville on Lake Sinclair in 2014. Until 2019, Eleyce was an Advisory Board member for the Georgia College John H. Lounsbury College of Education; and was the sponsor of the Eleyce Ard Usery scholarship for mathematics majors. Along with her husband, Melvin, she served as a principal of the non-profit Kim Usery Foundation.

Eleyce was an elegant woman and a true force of nature. She always strived to help people and animals in need. Eleyce had more friends and beloved former students to number. While she had no siblings, she had many "chosen sisters" she called her "prayer warriors." She was a lifelong animal lover, starting with her childhood English Setters, Sport and Scout, whom she always called "my brothers."

She was a vibrant and loving Mom to her daughters Laurie and Kim, and taught them a vast array of life skills that served them well ("always wear sunscreen!"). "She was their advocate".

Eleyce is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Melvin Julian Usery, of Milledgeville, Ga., her oldest daughter, Laurie Usery Morrissey of University Park, Md., her aunt, Opal Brock Godwin of Decatur, Ga., cousins Mark Brock of Decatur, Ga., David Brock of Fillmore, Calif., Joey Inmon and David Inmon of Reading, Pa., Eddie Inmon of Pottstown, Pa., and Jack Ard of San Antonio, Texas.

She is predeceased by her parents, Elton Russell Ard and Katherine Inmon Ard of Pontotoc, Miss., her youngest daughter, Kimberly Dawn Usery of Charlotte, N.C., her father-in-law, W.J. (Bill) Usery Jr., mother-in-law, Gussie Mae Usery of Macon, Ga., her aunts Elsie Inmon McMillen, of Pontotoc, Miss., Lostine Fortner of Ecru, MS, and her uncles Lamar Inmon, of Pottstown, Pa., the Rev. Ceral ("Sib") Ard of Grenada, Miss., and Jesse L. Ard of Thaxton, Miss.

Donations in Eleyce's honor are welcomed to the Kim Usery Foundation or the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).

Moores Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.