Carolyn Sue Messner

"Motherhood is near to divinity.  It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."   - Heber J. Grant

Carolyn Sue (Phillips) Messner was born on January 17, 1943 in Stanberry, Missouri to Carl Gene & Rosella Maxine (Duley) Phillips. The firstborn child and only daughter, she was a natural-born caregiver to her 3 younger brothers. Throughout her life, she was lovingly referred to as "Sue" by her parents, brothers, and close family.

While attending Stanberry High School, Carolyn was a cheerleader, participated in class leadership and in school drama productions, was a member of the concert band playing percussion and she loved being the drum majorette for the marching band. The greatest memory for Carolyn was falling in love with her high school sweetheart, Leon. She graduated in 1961 and the two married in September of the same year.

Carolyn learned stories about Jesus as a little girl at the knee of her mother, attending the First Baptist Church in Stanberry as a child.  In 1963, Carolyn was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Relief Society and Primary organizations throughout her life as President, Counselor, Secretary & teacher, embracing opportunities to minister to others.  She was filled with faith and love for her Savior. Her days were complete with prayers and discipleship for others.

On November 24, 1987, she and Leon were sealed for time and all eternity in the Chicago Illinois Temple.  It was a joyous day for her to know that she had made covenants that would bind her to her family forever.  She and Leon later served many years in the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple and then in the Kansas City Missouri Temple. Their weekly temple assignments were filled with joy in service and numerous eternal friendships with fellow temple workers.

Throughout her life, Carolyn was employed in various capacities. She helped manage the Stanberry Tastee-Freeze owned by Leon & his mother, Thelma; worked at the cap factory in Stanberry, Old American Insurance in Albany, Hogue Lumber Company, and the University of Missouri Extension as a soil tester then secretary under Fred Conner.  She also worked as an administrative assistant to Judge Harold Davis. In 1984, Leon & Carolyn owned and operated Messner's Flowers & Gifts. She later worked for Gentry County Memorial Hospital as a switchboard receptionist and then as a physician recruiter. She earned her Missouri Real Estate license and she and Leon owned One36 Realty together.

The "jobs" that followed her throughout life were supporting her husband on the farm and clerking sales auctioned by Leon. Hours were spent in preparation for and working each sale as well as antiquing and selling. She was a tremendous support to him. They made a great team.

In the community, Carolyn was a 4-H advisor, belonged to the Albany Chamber of Commerce, served as Albany Frontier Holidays Co-Chair with Leon for multiple years, was a member of the Albany Booster Club, supported AHS athletics and the FFA, and was a proud member of Beta-Sigma Phi, cherishing her associations with her sorority sisters for many years.

Her greatest role in life was that of wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Being undeniably devoted to those she loved, she served endlessly to make the lives of her family better. There was never a day when she didn't put others' needs ahead of her own.

Carolyn loved staying connected with family and would keep the generation gap narrow by sharing stories of her ancestors with her children and grandchildren, promoting a love for heritage. She demonstrated respect and compassion for her elders by continuously attending to the needs of her parents, grandparents, aunts, cousins and friends, often visiting with them and taking them goodies.

Our mom was truly a warrior, with strength beyond comprehension.

Throughout her battle with cancer, she fought with grace, fortitude and dignity. Even in her darkest days of pain, she followed the example of her Savior and looked for ways to serve other people.

Carolyn passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. We are certain that her reunion with her Savior and her eternal sweetheart, Leon, was the beautiful moment she had been anticipating since their separation.

Carolyn is survived by her children: Norman (Debbie) Messner, Edwardsville, KS; Janice (Rich) Rusick, Highland, UT; Jackie (Matt) Jameson, Cameron, MO; daughter-in-law, Kerri Messner, Albany, MO, And her grandchildren: Kourtne (Matthew), Jake (Courtney), Kyle (Sarah), Bailey (Aaron), Blayre (Andrew), Garrett (Meg), Porter, Tate, Brant, Kayce, Brenner, and Ella. Great-Grandsons: Brooks, Drake, Beckham, Silas & Mckay.

She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Lorraine Phillips, Tooele, UT; Donna Thomas, Weslaco, TX, Peggy Messner, Kansas City, MO, her aunt Mary Lois Brooke, Jefferson City, MO; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Leon; parents, Carl & Rosella; her son, Carl; a great-granddaughter, Lyla Rusick, and her brothers, Daryl, Doyle, & Dale Phillips.

Funeral Service: 10:00 AM, Monday, April 15 at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany.  Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany. The family will receive friends 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Sunday for a visitation at the chapel.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Albany or Stanberry Booster Club or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid Fund in care of the Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO 64402.