Kenneth Ray Messer

Kenneth Ray Messer, age 82, of Marion, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Memorial Mission-McDowell. A native of Blunt County, Tennessee, Kenneth was born on September 6, 1939 to the late John and Mildred Mullins Messer.

He is preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Ray Messer, Jr.

Kenneth was a truck driver until he retired in 1983. He loved his family and enjoyed family dinners. Kenneth loved going to the beach, fishing and boating. He also was a deer hunter. He attended New Manna Baptist Church for over forty years, where he enjoyed the youth choir, but above all things he enjoyed having his wife, kids and grandkids in his life.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of fifty-nine years, Thelma Radford Messer; six children, Teresa Price, Debbie Earley (Jack), Carolyn Ramsey (Tim), Linda Owensby (Randy), William Messer (Tina) and Gary Messer (Jennifer). Also surviving Kenneth are one sister, Brenda Braswell; thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at New Manna Baptist Church with Reverends Tim Ramsey, Tony Shirley and Levi Ramsey officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., one hour prior to the service at the church.

Those wishing to make a donation in Kenneth’s memory are asked to consider, The Messer Family, 36 Beck Street, Marion, North Carolina 28752.