Obituary of Shirley Messer

Shirley Ann Messer, 76 of Jacksonville, passed away July 17, 2021 at her sister’s home in Moberly, surrounded by her family.  She was born on December 6, 1944 in Moberly, MO to Fount Leroy White and Marjorie Idell Dale White.

Shirley was a lifelong resident of Randolph County.  In January of 1962 she wed Roger Messer and the two spend 59 wonderful years together.

She attended grade school in Moberly and church at the Jacksonville Cairo Unity Christian Church. Shirley worked as a cook and custodian for the 1^st and 2^nd grade Cairo-Jacksonville school until the early 70’s when she opened the S and M Café in Cairo.  There she greeted and served friends and neighbors for over 30 years until failing health led her to retire.  Shirley touched the lives of those in her community and will be missed by many.

When they were younger, Shirley and Roger like to go dancing on Saturday evenings.  In recent years, she enjoyed going to The Boat and loved playing Bingo with friends.  More than anything, she wanted to spend time with her family and especially her grandchildren.  She always did her best to make it to all school and sporting events. 

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Fount White and Marjorie White Freeman; brother, James “Larry” White; sisters, Judy Bale and Mona Upah; brothers-in-law, Marty Hunt and Tommy Wilson and sister-in-law, Alice White.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Roger Messer of Jacksonville; children, Richard (Machelle Maloney) Messer and Patricia (James Fawks) Hatfield all of Cairo; grandchildren, Richard Lee Messer, Jr and wife, Krystle of Cairo, Brandon Cole Messer and wife Rachel of Kirksville, Mikel Scott Messer and wife Meghan of Salisbury, Eric Biere and wife, Denise of Renick, Stephanie Sanders of Renick, Trevor Hatfield of Florida, D. J. Stoebe and wife, Tiphanie of Minnesota (their children, Bailey and Brooklyn), Jasmine Maloney and Alissa Maloney both of St. Louis; great grandchildren, Kennedy, Dakota, Clayton, Tristan, Brayden, Addie, Caden, Jackson, Lucas, Owen, Harper, Heaven, Bell, Lily, Rose, Lizy and Cassie; siblings, Jack (Donna) White, Mary Sue Wilson, Wayne White and Betty Hunt, Pete (Chris) Freeman, JoAnn Peman, Vickie Heathcote and Joe Freeman; brother-in-law, Kevin Upah and sister-in-law, Lynda White; a large extended family and many good friends.

Family will hold a private celebration of Shirley’s life at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Shirley’s honor, are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, c/o Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Condolences may be shared online at www.pathwaymemorial.com.