Mrs. Bertie Mae Burgess Messer, age 81, of Lenoir, North Carolina passed away in her home on February 17, 2024.

Mae was born to the late James Alan and Maggie Silvers Burgess on March 11, 1942 in Haywood County, North Carolina.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Ernest Burgess; and 8 sisters, Zannie Greene, Anna Dee Jenkins, Mary Evans, Betty Glance, Nellie Conard, Louise Steinel, Lizabell Trantham, and Stella Franklin.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, David "Lee" Messer Sr.; sons, David Lee Messer Jr. and wife Debbie; Jimmy Messer and wife Debbie, and Ricky Messer and wife Monica; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Mae loved her family. She was an avid gardener who loved to be outside. She loved her flowers, and when it came to fishing, she was the best.

A memorial service to honor the life of Mae Burgess Messer will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 2pm Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend James Palmer officiating.

The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at the funeral home from 1pm until 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Patterson House of Prayer in Lenoir, NC.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Mae Burgess Messer.