Anita Wallace Messer, 86, passed away early Thursday morning, September 7, 2017.
She was a native and life-long resident of Jacksonville, FL. She lived in the Murray Hill area for many years. Mrs. Messer was born at home on November 18, 1930 in the Hollyford area of Jacksonville, an area developed many years ago by her family.
She was baptized into the Church of the Nazarene in her teen years and was a follower of the Christian Faith throughout her life. In 2013 she was a runner up in the Ms. Senior Clay County Pageant.
She loved being a grandma and was also known by many of the neighborhood children as "Grandma." She was a devoted mother and fierce defender of her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Messer was the sweetheart of her late husband, Keith Messer, and a devoted wife to him. She was a master of Southern Cooking and had a good sense of humor.
She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, F. Keith Messer; her parents, Cleon M. and Minnie Pearl Lewis Wallace; and her sister, Martha Weldon.
Survivors include her sons, Wallace "Wally" Messer (Diane) and Richard "Rick" Messer (Sue); her daughter, Cathy Messer Brown; a brother, Cleon "Lee" Wallace, Jr.; her former son in law and friend, Mark Brown; eight grandchildren, Sherry Messer Warner (Rob), Richard "Rick" Messer, Jr. (Michelle), Jessica Messer Holtom (Jason), Allan Brown (Wendy), Robert Brown, Kim Thomas, Michael Brown and Jenny Reed; 15 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 14, at Riverside Memorial Park (Normandy Blvd. and I-295) with Dr. Terry R. Gore officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Green Pine Funeral Home (directions available at www.greenpinefuneral.com) 904-261-0876.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Corey-Kerlin Funeral Homes for their expert and compassionate assistance.
Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home, Wallace Messer, LFD.
Anita Messer from Green Pine Funeral Home on Vimeo.