Sonja Juavise Messer of Phil Campbell, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 69. She was born on March 4, 1956, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her parents C.B. Messer, Jr and Gwendoly Virginia Messer.
She is survived by her sister, Virginia (Jenny) and husband Jerome Burks. brother, Bryan Messer and wife Tammie; nieces, Lindi and Brian Robertson, Ashley and Shane Harbin and Natasha Anderson; nephews, Nicholas and Melissa Messer and Tyler and Brooke Messer. She is also survived by 17 great-nieces and nephews; Lindi's children - Isabella Robertson, Jobe Robertson, Elizabeth Robertson, and Saylor Robertson; Nicholas' children - Morgan Messer and Hadley Messer; Ashley's children - Jayden Harbin and Cailynn Harbin; Natasha's children - Jacob Hopson and Shea Anderson and Tyler's children - Brayden Messer, Brooklynn Messer, Waverly Messer, Lexi Herrin, Haygen Herrin, Blakely Eurick and Briggs Eurick.
In addition to her family, Sonja leaves behind countless friends, colleagues and extended family who will remember her for her love of God and unconditional love for family and friends.
She was a member of Mt. View Baptist Church in Phil Campbell. She was an active, faithful member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Russellville Chapter # 256 for 38 years, where she has served as the Worthy Matron and secretary. She was a member of Charity # 1. She was Grand Organist for Grand Chapter 2016-2017. She was a graduate of Phil Campbell High School, Northwest Shoals Jr. College with an A.S. degree and the University of Alabama-Birmingham with a B.S. degree. She was a medical lab technologist and worked in area hospitals before her retirement. She played the piano for many OES installations all over the state. She was a lab technologist and worked in area hospitals before her retirement. She loved playing the piano and creating unique works of art. She loved her animals, dogs, Clover and Maggie and her cat, BB.
A celebration of Sonja's Life will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Mt. View Baptist Church, 2110 Hwy 81, Phil Campbell, AL at 2 pm. with an Order of the Eastern Star funeral service. A private burial will be held in the Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery. Pinkard Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Sonja's memory to the Order of the Eastern Star, Russellville Chapter # 256, in care of Angie Burcham OES, 310 Burcham Road, Phil Campbell, AL 35581. The donation will help so many people in need.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Robertson, Jobe Robertson, Shane Harbin, Jayden Harbin, Jacob Hopson, Brayden Messer, David Burcham, Jonathan Grimes and Neal McMahan.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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