Betty Jo Messer Gordon, 79, of Charleston, TN, died on Saturday, July 19, 2014.
Betty enjoyed life, especially watching westerns and listening to gospel music. She loved to explore new places and travel the back roads. She cherished family and close friends and enjoyed antiquing for Depression glass and finding that special bargain. And she loved having a bluebird day.
A strong independent woman her whole life, she raised 5 children and managed the family farm while her husband Wallace began his career as an OTR driver. Eventually they moved to Tennessee where they started Calhoun Transportation Service which they continued until their retirement.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 58 yrs., Wallace; both parents, Lynn Adam and Iva Lee Crisp Messer; and five siblings, Clara, Mildred, June, Emma Jean and Jim.
She is survived by her children, Pat Steadman and husband Perry of Hendersonville, NC, David Gordon and wife Patty of Tellico, Diane Little and husband Richard of Powder Springs, GA, Chris Toomey and husband Byron of Calhoun, TN and Karen Heifner and husband John of Charleston, TN; grandchildren, Paul and Pam Summey, Scott Summey, Tammie and Patrick Condon, Heather and Nicholas McDonald, James and Brooke Gordon, Billie and Doug Stevens, Amanda Rogers, Allen Freeman, Gwen and Josh Borin, Miranda Jo Heifner and CJ Heifner; great-grandchildren, Hayden, Patrick, Daniel, Hayden, Parker, Lily, Anna, Peyton, Andrew, Sassy, BJ, Josh, Justin, Andrea, David, Alyssa Jo, Isaiah, Zander, Ky, Kameron, Abigail and Kayla; five siblings, Bennie, Martha, Johnnie, Larry and TC; and several special nieces and nephews and brothers/sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, July 25 at noon in the chapel of Ralph Buckner will Larry Holland officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Calhoun First Baptist Church Cemetery. A white dove release will conclude the ceremony. Paul Summey, Scott Summey, Nicholas McDonald, Allen Freeman, CJ Heifner, James Gordon, and Josh Borin will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Parker Summey, Andrew McDonald, and Isaiah Borin.
The family will receive friends on Friday, July 25 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Ralph Buckner Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.