Janis Gail Messer

Janis Gail Messer, 60, of Lee County, passed away Thursday, August 04, 2016 at Willson Hospice House. Memorial services will be conducted Monday, August 08, 2016 at 6:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Dr. Kerri Reeves will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service.

Janis was the youngest of three children born to a sailor in the United States Navy, she was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, her sister in Jacksonville, Florida and her brother was born in Albany, Georgia.

She traveled from Sheboygan Wisconsin to Key West Florida as her family moved to support her father as an American Sailor. When he retired in 1965 Janis returned with her family to Leesburg, Georgia to attend school. At an early age Janis showed a love and talent for painting and produced a number of beautiful pictures that she shared with family and friends. As a teenager she painted the mural in the baptismal pool in Tabernacle Baptist Church. She was a free spirit and started her travels early in her life. She married Ricky Messer and traveled throughout the southeast and Louisiana finally settling down in Carrabelle, Florida. She returned to Leesburg to help and assist in the care of her aging mother. Her generosity was a trademark of her character that anyone who knew her became aware of. She was a valued member of the Byne Memorial Baptist Church, International Sunday School Class, helping and learning from Christian Classmates from around the world.

Survivors include a daughter Donna Lynn Turner of Monticello, FL, her mother Sara Margot Willis of Lee County, a sister Nancy Lynn Harp and her husband Morris of Lee County, a brother Alan Wade Willis and wife Eudocia of Lee County, grandchildren Payton Turner, Kelsey Turner, and Alyssa Turner all of Monticello, FL. Janis was also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ricky Franklin Messer and her father Opie Watson Willis.

In lieu of flowers those desiring may make memorials to Willson Hospice House 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA 31721.

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