Silver Comet Trail Crash Victim Remembered

On the Silver Comet Trail, just a few feet east of Floyd Road, there is a cross that reads "Betsy" and a bouquet of flowers. Nearby is a new pole and a patch of fresh dark pavement.

Sometimes during the past week, runners and cyclists of the trail could see people embracing and crying on the benches not far from the small wooden cross. Friends and family members mourned the loss of 52-year-old Elizabeth "Betsy" Ziegler of Austell. To them, she was a mother, sister, aunt, daughter and coworker.

The ATV collided with a pole placed to prevent motorized vehicles on the trail and caught fire, Cobb police said.

A mass of Christian burial was held for Neesley on Saturday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Canton, OH. A private burial in Calvary Cemetery in Massillon, OH followed.

According to her obituary on the Lamiell Funeral Home website, Neesley was raised in Canton and moved to Georgia in 1983 after graduating from Bowling Green State University in 1982. She was a former member of the Junior League of Atlanta.

On the site, friends and families left their condolences and memories of Neesley, who they describe as "extremely personable" and "very helpful" and someone who loved life and truly lived it to the fullest.

• "Betsy embraced life!" Lolita & James Mackey wrote.
• Kelly Hicks said she lived down the road from Neesley and their sons were friends. "Betsy was a blast to be around, just down to earth and so easy to talk to. She was thoughtful and giving and a wonderful mother, who I looked up to. The words 'awesome' and 'amazing' come to mind when I think of Betsy."

• Paige McGaughey wrote that she met Neesley when she was a coworker of her husband's. "Betsy loved life, and she loved her family. She'll be remembered as a devoted mother and a great friend to so many of us in Atlanta."

• Arin Logan-Johnson wrote, "Betsy was my friend and coworker. She will be missed dearly. We send our love and prayers from Georgia."

She is survived by her son, Nicholos John Neesley; parents, John "Jack" and Mary Ann Ziegler of Canton, OH; sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia and John Streb of Canton, OH, Susie and Greg DeFisher of Cincinatti; brother and sister-in-law, John Jr. and Kris Ziegler of Canton, OH; neices and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to an education fund established for Neesley's son. Donations can be made to the:

Nicholos Neesley Education Fund, care of The Huntington Bank

6248 Navarre Road SW

Canton, OH 44706

Did you know Elizabeth "Betsy" Neesley? Share your memories.