He was a member of New Hope Primitive Baptist Church.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He and his wife, Doris, owned and operated Messer’s Diner on U.S. Highway 411 in Benton for 17 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Zola Messer; son, Danny Messer; five brothers; and two sisters.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Doris Whaley Messer, of Charleston, two children: Nancy Messer and Johnny Messer, both of Cleveland; five stepchildren: Shirley Striker of Cleveland, David Whaley of Charleston, Joey Whaley of Cleveland, Steve Whaley of Charleston, and Brent Whaley of Old Fort; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Huskey of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Elder John Robbins officiating.
Interment will follow in Moores Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 this evening at the funeral home.
We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Messer family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com.
