Ruby Messer

Waynesville, Ruby Caldwell Messer, age 87, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2019 at Smoky Mountain Nursing & Rehabilitation surrounded by her family.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, she was a daughter of the late Dave and Ivie Parton Caldwell.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester M. Messer, who died in 2017; three sisters, Beulah Moody, Macey Carver and Lottie Caldwell; two brothers, Floyd and Arvil Caldwell.

Ruby was a lifetime member of Hemphill Baptist Church and former Women’s Sunday School class teacher.  She was a precious and virtuous woman of God and a caretaker of her family.  Ruby’s selfless nature enriched the lives of so many.  She was a provider and loving disciplinarian as a beloved Mamaw, she would call and pray with her grandchildren over the phone.  Ruby was also blessed with a green thumb and enjoyed gardening.  Ruby, put simply, lived in a way that honored God, and served her family.

Ruby is survived by three sons, Danny Messer, and his wife, Carolyn, Benny Messer, and his wife, Keva, all of Waynesville and Kenny Messer (Melanie Clark), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; brother, Milford Caldwell, and his wife, Myrtle, of Clyde; four grandchildren, Travis Messer (Brandy), Amanda Butler (Bryan), Brentley Messer (Tracy Price) and Amy Messer; seven great-grandchildren, J.D. Morgan, Dakota Payne, Gavin Price, Maylan Price, Caden Butler, Dawson Butler and Bethany Buchanan.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Jake Cagle and Reverend Mark Caldwell officiating.  Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorials Park.  The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.  Serving as pallbearers will be J.D. Morgan, Dakota Payne, Travis Messer, Brian Buckner, Dwight Caldwell and Jerry Smith.

The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful care given to Ruby over the last three years by Smoky Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation.

The care of Mrs. Messer has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com