Obituary of Roberta Justana Powell

Roberta Messer Powell, also affectionately known as Mother, Mom, Mommie, Bucky Jane, Bert, and Powell took Gods hands on February 3, 2016 to greet her heavenly Father, Mother, Father, Brother, Sisters and Husband. This must have been a joyful reunion. Roberta was born November 3, 1924 to Nelson Ramsey Messer Sr. and Vannie Sherrill Messer. Roberta was preceded in death by a brother Ralph Messer, two sisters, Amy Messer DeHart and Nettie Mae Messer Styles, husband J. B. Powell Jr., and grandson David Laurence Lane. Roberta was the foundation of her family. She leaves behind three children, Barbara DeSha of Chattanooga, TN, Barry and Nancy Powell of Travelers Rest, SC and Sherry Powell-Stockton and Eddy of Bryson City, NC. A brother Nelson R Messer Jr. of Knoxville, TN and a sister Frances Messer of Bryson City, NC. Roberta known as Mommie to her five grandchildren are Wendy and Tim Costo of Signal Mtn., TN, Geoff and Amanda Lane of Charlotte, NC, Amy Seay of Bryson City, NC, Michael Seay of Waynesville, NC and Lyndsey Powell of College Park, Maryland. Mommie also has three great grandsons who were her pride and joy, Cameron and Carter Costo of Signal Mtn., TN and Rhett Jones of Bryson City, NC. Roberta also has three nephews, Tom DeHart of Orlando, FL., Joe and Karen Messer of Virginia Beach, Va., and Robert Messer of Bryson City, NC. Roberta retired from the old Almond School where she wore many hats through the years. She attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, WCU in Cullowhee where she earned a certificate in Early Childhood Education. She also attended SCC. Roberta was an educator, an artist, loved gardening, making Christmas ornaments, and quilting with her sister Nettie; she loved collecting Fenton Glass and starting collections for her granddaughters. She loved being outdoors, hiking and bird watching. She loved teaching the young and old and helped SCC with GED classes after retirement. Most of all she loved her family and cooking family meals, making sure everyone had their favorite dish on special occasions. Roberta had the wonderful ability to make both family and friends feel extraordinary. The Family would like to extend a special thank you to Swain County EMS for always attending to Roberta with professionalism and compassion. There were many trips and always with kindness. Also an extra special thank you to mom’s caretakers: Ramonia Mangus, Glenda Herron, Carolyn Sellers, Viva Ann Wood, Joann Parton, Carolyn Crain and Bernice Barnes. Likewise thank you to Dot Dyer. The family would also like to thank Skyland Care Center for outstanding care in mother’s last days. Funeral services were held Saturday at 11:00 am at Crisp Funeral Home.