BERTHA STORY MESSER JENNINGS

Bertha Jennings passed away Thursday, June 22, 2006 in San Angelo after a brief illness. She was 93 years old. Family visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM, Sunday, June 25, 2006 at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, June 26, 2006 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Kevin McSpadden, Chaplain for Baptist Memorial Hospital will conduct the services. Arrangements are made by Robert Massie Funeral Home. Bertha was born September 1, 1912 in St. Joseph, Missouri to James Elmer Story and Myrtle Gautt Story. Her dad was a government meat inspector so they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, then to Chicago, Illinois, Austin, Minnesota, then Ft. Worth, TX. Her family moved to San Angelo in 1922. She attended school here and met Horton Messer. They married on September 1, 1930. Safeway Food stores transferred them to Pasadena, CA. They moved back to San Angelo in 1933 and they later opened three NuWay Food Stores and later Tower Market on Sherwood Way, where Albertson's store is today. They raised four children and started many family traditions with each and every holiday. She made sure everyone was fed, entertained and welcomed all new babies with loving and open arms. The fun days at the lake will be remembered and cherished by all of her grandchildren. Horton passed away December 23, 1978. She married Morris Jennings August 16th, 1980. He passed away March 31, 1999. She was a wonderful homemaker, caregiver, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother James Story, sister Dot Sparks all of California and an infant sister, Jean, and a son-in-law C.O. Winburne, a great-grandson E.J. Jones and very special friend Faye Carter. She is survived by three daughters Marjorie Winburne, JoAnn Motl and husband Calvin, Dot Holley and husband, Don all of San Angelo and one son Arthur Messer and wife Kay of Carlsbad. Also, ten grandchildren, Kathy Schiller and husband Jim, David Winburne, Julie Collins and husband, Robert, Steve Motl and wife, Terri of all of San Angelo, Robert Motl and wife, Rory of Austin, Lisa Motl Peace and husband Mike of the Woodlands, Dianna Holley of Ft. Worth, Brian Holley of San Angelo, Anna Messer of San Angelo and Butchie Messer of Christoval. There are sixteen great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren. A special thanks to Baptist Memorial Center and their wonderful care team, the Hospice program at Baptist, Dr. Stephen Smith, Nellie Gatica for her care and concern, special friends Sandra Nowlin and Joyce Keller. "To Live in the hearts of those you love, is not to die." Our memories of you will live in all of us forever....Thanks for the faith, love, lessons and wonderful memories. We will miss you Mother, Mema, Great MeMa. Grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Meals for the Elderly, 310 E. Houston Harte, San Angelo 76903, or the Baptist Memorial Hospice Program, 902 North Main, San Angelo 76903.