Jimmy Eugene Messer, 67, of Franklin, entered into rest Friday, June 10, 2005, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A native of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Lynn and Iva Crisp Messer. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Lynn Messer, and two sisters, Emma Jean Sisti and Mildred Petroski. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving in the Korean War.

Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Vera Smith Messer; three sons, Jon of Baton Rouge, LA, Donald Ben of Franklin; two brothers, T. C. Messer of Sarasota, FL, and Larry Messer of Jackson, GA; five sisters, Clara Berry of East Flat Rock, NC, Bennie Stepp of Hendersonville, NC, Betty Gordon of Charleston, TN, Martha McConnell of Iva, SC, and Johnnie Raines; five grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 13, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Vic Greene will officiate. Burial will be in the Tellico Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Mitch Wilkes, Tony Rice, Vic Franks, Harvey Dills, Santiago Hernandez, and Randy Ammons.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @ www.maconfuneralhome.com