Thelma (Barker) Messimer

Thelma (Barker) Messimer was born to Tom and Tressie Barker on December 9, 1928, in Brownfield, Texas and passed away May 7, 2023, in Waco, Texas.

She married Doyce (known to friends as Jack) Messimer in 1947. She was a homemaker and a loving mother to Bette, Sherri, Alan, and Roger, and was said to be the favorite neighborhood mother as she was generous with kindness and snacks. She was also especially fond of all her nieces and nephews.

She never wanted anyone to be hungry and made it her life mission to feed everyone to excess – including her pets!

When the children were grown, Thelma and Jack moved to Japan for a year for an overseas job assignment with Bell Helicopter. There she taught some of their Japanese friends to make American goodies like Rice Crispy Treats and thus continued her tradition of feeding everyone.

She loved to write letters and could be counted on to write at least five a week throughout a good part of her life. It was just her way to reach out and say she cared. When Jack retired, they moved back to their hometown of Weatherford where she enjoyed her new life surrounded by family and friends. She continued to call Weatherford home after his passing in 2003.

She is survived by her sister, JoAnn Edwards; three of her children, Bette Cook, Sherri Messimer, and Alan Messimer (Paula); five grandchildren, Brett Cook, Jody Messimer (Meg), Allison Messimer, Svannah Martinez, and Kyleigh Messimer; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Doyce (Jack) Messimer; her son, Roger Messimer; and her grandson, Carson Messimer.

The family will receive friends from 10am to 11am Friday, May 12, 2023, at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, 913 N Elm St, Weatherford, Texas 76086. Graveside Services will immediately follow at East Greenwood Cemetery with Reverend Alec Ylitalo officiating.

Her family is forever grateful to Elaine and DJ of Loving Life Respite Care and Retreat for providing such compassionate and excellent care of Thelma during the last year of her life.