Anita Faye Messenger

Anita Faye Wimberley Messenger was born on July 7, 1944, in Tulia, TX and died at home on April 6, 2024, in Houston, TX. Born & reared in the Baptist church then became a Methodist later in life. She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Mommy & Poppy Wimberley & Grandmother & Granddaddy Springer, her father, David P. Wimberley, her mother, Olene Springer Wimberley, her sister, Jacque Hart, her brother-in-law, Kenneth Hart & her nephew, Terry Hart. A graduate of Kress High School in 1962 and later West Texas State University in 1966, she held a degree in music education with a major in voice followed by post graduate studies for additional teaching certificates.

She was married to John N. Messenger on August 28, 1965 & they lived in Friona, Hereford, Austin & Houston. She was a first & second grade teacher in Friona & Hereford but was first & foremost a vocal musician blessed with perfect pitch who learned to play piano by ear before she started school or learned to read music. In addition to her musical abilities, she worked as a secretary & bookkeeper for numerous organizations & businesses. She also had her own business, AWM Business Services, that began in 1979 & ended in 1997. As a result of her love of choral music, she served as the music director of two smaller Methodist churches later in life.

She is survived by her husband, John N. Messenger, her son & daughter-in-law, Nelson & Natalie Messenger, her grandchildren, Jacey, Tiffany, David & Steven, her sister, Lucrecia Gaston & her nieces Donna Gaston & Mary Hart Bohner & her nephew David Hart. She was a devoted wife, mother & grandmother. She passed on her love of music, her humor & her compassion. She will be missed by her family & friends.

A celebration of Anita's life is to be held in the chapel at 10am on the 7th of May at Chapelwood UMC, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, TX 77024. Also in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in honor of Anita Messenger to either the music program at Chapelwood UMC or to the Texas Music Project. Here are the links to both.

For the Chapelwood UMC, Music Concert Donations,

https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/63be1e6e-bae1-46ed-81d3-4b059c1b4bba

For the Texas Music Project,

https://texasmusicproject.org/donate/