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Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Leigh Tracy Walters passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, in Tucker, GA, at the age of 67.
Tracy was born on March 28, 1958, in Isola, MS, to Wilma (Smithhart) and Dudley Milton. As the middle child of five girls in a family of modest means, she was both a model of resilience and a steadfast champion of others from an early age. The Vancleave High School Class of 1976 remembers Tracy, their valedictorian, almost 50 years later as a “delight to be around,” a “bubbly and happy person,” “a wonderful human being,” and “a very special friend”. Tracy earned her Bachelor of Science from Mississippi State University and subsequently took her talents to Houston, where she worked as a biomedical engineer in the Cullen Cardiovascular Research Library at the Texas Heart Institute in the early 1980s. After getting married and relocating to the Atlanta area, she received her MBA in finance from Georgia State University.
Although Tracy enjoyed a successful and varied career working for such companies as Wang and Implantable Provider Group, as well as a year teaching high school science in Cobb County, she most fully dedicated herself to raising her two children. Whether it was orchestra, baseball practice, or AP physics homework, she was simultaneously a tough taskmaster and their biggest cheerleader. Tracy also cultivated lifelong friendships in every community she joined as she moved from Marietta to Kennesaw to Alpharetta, briefly returned to Mississippi, and later set down more permanent roots in Ellijay and finally Snellville, GA.
Tracy continued her nurturing role throughout her midlife and later years, serving as a caregiver for both of her aging parents and later a full-time nanny for her first grandchild. She so thoroughly immersed herself in caring for others that she often set aside her own needs, never fully realizing the depth of support that surrounded her – a testament to her boundless generosity.
Tracy is survived by her children, Katherine and Alex, her sisters Anne Stascavage, Leslie Schaffer, and Bronwyn Holliday, her grandchildren Maggie and Gwen, and many loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilma and Dudley, and her sister Kathy McLain.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 1-4 PM at Kevin Rathbun Steak (154 Krog Street NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30307). Anyone is encouraged to email photos, stories, and memories to Katherine at Lkatherinewalters@gmail.com.
Georgia Cremation in Duluth assisted the family with arrangements.
Sheila Enyeart says
Tracy was an amazing woman and volunteer at the Milton High School Library Media while her children were in school. I fondly remember her and working with her. She certainly died too soon and will be missed by her dear family!
Virginia McLaughlin says
Dearest Leslie I am so sorry forthe passing of your beautiful sister. I will be praying for you all. I loved reading about her amazing life! Wow! What a gift to this world. Love you!
Virginia McLaughlin
Gayle Ivey says
Katherine, Alex and extended family, I am so sorry to hear of Tracy’s passing. She was a wonderful neighbor and more importantly a treasured friend. Memories of all the good times we had together will always make me smile and wish we had more time with her. Take care and please keep in touch.
Jesse and Ellen says
Tracy was a very friendly, engaging person. My husband and i enjoyed her company. Rest easy Tracy.
Rebecca Teaff says
Tracy was my dear friend for more than 40 years! We first met in Houston, where we both worked in the cardiovascular research lab at Texas Heart Institute in the early ’80s. She was hired, just out of college, as a biomedical engineer, working on pioneering research in developing a left ventricular assist device. I recall there being a lot of buzz about her before she arrived — she had graduated with highest honors from an exceptional program at Mississippi State. It was unusual back then for women to enter the field of biomedical engineering, but she was a perfect fit for the lab and quickly proved her intellect and abilities. Not only that, she was just delightful to be around and always had a beautiful smile to go with her lovely personality. I was in my first medical editing job in the lab. I think Tracy and I connected right away, because of our Southern sensibilities–she from Mississippi and me from Alabama. After Tracy left Houston, we tried to stay in touch, but didn’t really reconnect until years later, when I ended up in Atlanta. Although decades had passed since we had seen each other, it was as if no time had passed when we met up again. There aren’t many people you can say that about! Soon after, Tracy went back to Mississippi to care for her aging parents. She was a compassionate and caring daughter. She equally loved her sisters, who were also very accomplished — I recall thinking that it must have been fun to grow up in a family of five girls, all with outgoing personalities, interests, and talents. And, of course, Tracy’s children and grandchildren were her “world” (her words). It was not surprising to read above that she was their cheerleader, as she loved them fiercely. I feel fortunate to have known Tracy and will miss her so much. I am happy I got to meet Don and to visit her in her lovely mountain home in Ellijay. Condolences to all her family. I know they will keep her memory alive. She was a bright light in all our lives.
Robin Wilson says
Tracy wasn’t just my neighbor In Ellijay, but a dear friend. She was beautiful inside and out. We will miss her tremendously!