Juanita Messenger passed to her eternal home, at NHC Healthcare of Sparta, on Jan. 20, 2024.
Juanita was born Dec. 9, 1924, in Cookeville, to Bertha Goolsby Emerson and Jesse Steve Emerson.
She was retired from the garment industry. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She and her best friend, Rosalie Beck, dedicated their retirement years to volunteer service for the church. She was very fond of her Sunday School teacher, Carolyn Walker, who makes these ladies feel so special. We would like to thank Carolyn and her son, Brad, for being so helpful to her during her final days. Also thank you to NHC for the care given to her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Terry Messenger; two brothers, Steve Emerson, Gene Emerson; a sister, Jessie Warden; and a nephew, Fred Warden.
She is survived by her son, Bruce Messenger; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Bill Worrell; grandchildren, Melanie (Darrell) Goodwin, Marcie (Stan) Kinnard, Mark Messenger, Dara (Tim) Sykes, Paige Worrell; eight great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Connie Messenger; and two special nephews, Tim Emerson and Kurt Messenger.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Jan. 26, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Sparta, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 26, at the church. Brad Walker will officiate.
Serving the family as pallbearers are Edd Cantrell, Mark Messenger, Stan Kinnard, Tim Emerson, Mike Maughon, and Wayne Mitchell.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
