Elizabeth Ann Traviss

Elizabeth Barnard Traviss, "Liz", age 78, died unexpectedly, yet peacefully on June 15, 2024 in Spartanburg, South Carolina where she and her husband recently moved to from their long-time home in Winter Haven, Florida.

Elizabeth was born on September 1, 1945 in Carthage, Missouri to Kenneth Miller Barnard and Mildred Elaine Proctor. Elizabeth grew up in Homer, Louisiana with her two younger brothers, Kenneth Miller Barnard Jr (Ken) and William Proctor Barnard (Bill).  Elizabeth graduated from Homer High School and Louisiana Tech University, and received her Masters in Home Economics from Florida State University.

Elizabeth met her husband, Jim, at Florida State University. After they married, they eventually settled in Winter Haven, Florida where Jim practiced law and Elizabeth taught elementary school. Winter Haven was where they raised their two daughters, Katherine Traviss (Hanna) and Marcia Traviss (Stevens). It is where many of their dearest friends and family live. They recently moved to South Carolina to be closer to their daughters.

Elizabeth "Liz" was married to Jim for 55 years and was a wonderful and devoted wife. She was a loving and caring mother to her daughters, Katherine and Marcia, and a proud, loving grandmother to her two grandsons, Landon and Cameron Stevens.

Elizabeth was a lovely Christian woman who displayed an unconditional love, a strong spirit, an undying care, concern, and generosity for all her family and friends. Liz was an active and dedicated member of St. Johns United Methodist Church, a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of America, and a volunteer with Project Love and NOMADS.

Elizabeth enjoyed being with friends and family, traveling with Jim and their close friends, cooking, sewing/quilting, reading, and singing in the choir.  Elizabeth was a sports enthusiast. She especially loved watching her grandsons and the FSU Seminoles. You could often find her watching her TV, i-pad, and phone all with three different sports games playing. Since moving to South Carolina, she was so excited to be able to watch her grandsons' games in person.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Barnard; mother, Mildred Barnard; brother, Kenneth "Ken" Barnard Jr; brother-in-law, Jack Traviss; and nephew, J.P. Powell.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Traviss; daughters, Katherine Traviss Hanna (Chris) and Marcia Traviss Stevens (Mark); grandsons, Landon Stevens and Cameron Stevens; brother, William "Bill" Barnard (Laura); sisters-in law, Gayle Barnard, Loretta Traviss Smith, and Grayson Traviss Smith (Calvin); nieces, Kimberly Traviss Powell, Esther Marie Lawrence (Matt), and Cathay Gracen Davidson (Kale); nephews, Michael Traviss (Valerie), John Calvin Smith (Michelle), Scott Barnard (Jeni), and Cody Barnard (Jennifer); great-nephews, Traviss Powell (Megan), Dexter Davidson, Jack Lawrence, and William Smith; and great-nieces, Susanna Lawrence and Annabella Smith.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 2:00 PM at St. John's UMC in Winter Haven, FL. Donations may be made in her memory to UMCOR, Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068.