Susan Rebecca Steed Mercer

Susan was born in China Lake, California, to the late Blake H. Steed, MSgt., U.S. Marines, and Jane O’Thina Tidwell Steed. As a child, she lived in California, Alabama, North Carolina, Miami, Denmark, and finally Albany, Georgia, where she and her sister, Sylvia, grew up.

She was a 1969 honor graduate of Dougherty County High School in Albany. She graduated from Valdosta State College in 1973 with a B.S. degree in biology/pre-med. In 1973, she began her teaching career in the Dougherty County School System. She met her sweetheart, Malcolm, who also taught in the system, and they were soon married in December 1974 at First United Methodist Church in Albany. Susan later graduated with a master’s degree in science education from Albany State University.

Malcolm and Susan have two wonderful sons, Jason and Brandon. Later, they enjoyed and loved two daughters-in-law, Ashley and Julie. Most important were the five wonderful grandchildren who followed. The grands were so special to Susan, and she loved them dearly and knew each one was just perfect in every way. She celebrated their accomplishments and was so very proud of them and their loving parents.

Susan loved teaching students science. She taught science classes from grades 7 through 12 for 32 years. During her career, she had a passion for sponsoring science fair projects. Her students were recognized in local, regional, state, and international fairs. She also sponsored numerous school programs, including Beta Club, Science Club, and Lights of Love, sponsored by Phoebe Putney in Albany. Susan was the lead instructor for Merck Science Camp during the summers for 12 years. Susan was named Teacher of the Year at Albany Middle School and Westover High School.

Susan was honored to be the lead instructor for the Dougherty County High School/High Tech program. Her students in the program, over a seven-year period, were involved in many projects and adventures. These talented students participated in numerous projects outside the science curriculum, including airplane and rocket studies and building a solar car. In July 1999, Susan and her students were selected to participate in designing an experiment to fly butterflies aboard STS-93, NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia. With the cooperation of professors from Dalton College, Albany ARC, and Albany State, the project was completed. In May 2000, on Space Day, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum placed the butterflies that emerged during the space flight in a permanent exhibit.

After retiring from teaching, Susan and Malcolm opened a small shop, This & That Collection, in Albany. A few years later, they moved to Statham, Georgia, to be closer to their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. The shop also moved to The Cotton Depot in Monroe, Georgia.

Besides working and buying for the shop, Susan enjoyed playing the piano, spending time with family and their fur baby, Chloe, and watching her Georgia Bulldogs! GO DAWGS! Susan was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and the Georgia Retired Teachers Association.

She and Malcolm loved spending time in the mountains and at the beach. She would want to be remembered as a Christian and a caring, loving wife, Mama, Nana, sister, and friend.

Survivors, in addition to Malcolm, include sons, Jason Chad Mercer (Ashley) and Brandon Blake Mercer (Julie); grandchildren, Avery Lynn Mercer, Austin Chad Mercer, Kelsey Jane Mercer, Mason Blake Mercer, and Nathan Ellis Mercer; and sister, Sylvia Elaine Steed Hencinski (Bob).

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Highway, Athens, on Monday, October 12, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Funeral services will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Frank Bernat officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.