Rena Messer

Smithfield, NC: Mrs. Rena Mae Byrd Messer, age 89 of 1788 Cleveland Road, died Monday at Barbour Court Nursing  and Rehab Center in Smithfield, NC.  Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday at St. Mary’s Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church.  Officiating will be Rev. David Langley.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.Mrs. Messer was born March 10, 1928 in Johnston County to the late Merton Melvin and Alder Cobb Byrd.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Yvonne Messer Shelton, grandson, Sean Smida, brother, John Melvin Byrd and sisters, Eloise Lassiter and Dorothy Liles. Mrs. Messer was a homemaker and member of St. Mary’s Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church.Surviving include, daughters, Deborah M. Smida of Zebulon, Elizabeth M. Hawkins of East Bend and Connie M. Austin of Zebulon, son, Roy Messer of Smithfield; grandchildren, Stacy Messer, Amy Gail Cowart, Tammy Messer, April Smida, Andrew Faison, Emily Mabe, John Mabe, Michael Gall, Christopher Gall and Jason Gall; and sixteen great-grandchildren.The family will receive friends 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Four Oaks and other times at the home of Roy Messer, 1788 Cleveland Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.Service Information