Lewisburg-Mary Nancy Messer passed on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at the age of 96 years.
She was born in Harlan, KY, on Oct. 9, 1922, to Dr. U.S. Vermillion and Rachel Vermillion (both deceased) of Corbin, KY.
She graduated from Corbin High School and Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee with Honors. She married James B. Messer (deceased) of Barbourville, KY, and they moved to Lewisburg in 1947. James Messer opened Western Auto Stores in both Lewisburg and Covington, VA.
In addition to working with Jim in the store, she taught in Greenbrier County Schools. For more than 60 years she taught French, English and Drama at White Sulphur Springs, Lewisburg and Greenbrier East High Schools. She was recognized by the State of West Virginia as teacher of the year. She also taught at New River College for several years. She had advance degrees from West Virginia University but she was mostly known for her fluency in French. She had many interests but particularly enjoyed her P.E.O Sisterhood and membership in Shuck Memorial Baptist Church.
She is survived by her son, Bernard Messer (wife Kristy Messer); granddaughter Rachel Morgan (husband Christopher Morgan); and grandsons James Messer and William Messer, all of Lewisburg. She is also survived by a sister, Barbara Adkins of Oak Ridge, TN; and many close relatives throughout the United States.
She had an extensive network of friends, former education colleagues and former students that endeared themselves to her over the decades. She will be missed.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 6, at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg, with Pastors, Jonathan Turner, Ron Miller and Robert Hefner officiating. Interment will follow in Rosewood Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Friends and family will be received from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Apr. 5, at the funeral home in Lewisburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Shuck Memorial Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 841 Washington Street West, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.