Lila Messick

Lila Ruth S. Messick NORFOLK - Lila Ruth Sawyer Messick went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010. Mrs. Messick was born in Belhaven, N.C. She spent most of her life in Norfolk where she graduated from Maury High School. Lila was an active member of Park Place United Methodist Church and a former member of the Church Administrative Board, member of the Christian Adult Class, and past president of the United Methodist Women. She was also a former member of the Regional Advisory Council for the Lydia H. Roper Home. Lila was predeceased by her parents, Clyde Lenox Sawyer and Amanda Catherine Watson Sawyer and her brother Lt. Col. Clyde Lenox Sawyer Jr. She is survived by her beloved and loving husband of 67 years, Vernon Broughton Messick of Norfolk; her four daughters, Lillian Kay Dydek of Hanahan, S.C., Margaret Ann Culpepper and husband James of Charlotte, N.C., Mary Broughton Taylor and Ruth Ellen Osborne, both of Norfolk. She is also survived by her grandchildren, James H. Culpepper V and wife Miranda of Taipei, Taiwan, Catherine Baldwin Culpepper of White Plains, N.Y., Christopher Broughton Osborne, Eric Hayes Osborne and wife Jessica, and Whitney Catherine Charlton and husband Matthew, all of Norfolk, as well as great-grandchildren, Oscar and Hannah Culpepper and Natalie Osborne. Lila is survived as well by her sister, Mary Elizabeth Jones of Rescue, Va., and her sister-in-law Bediz Sawyer of Izmir, Turkey, and many nieces and nephews. Lila was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be greatly missed until we see her again. A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, Sept. 18, at Park Place United Methodist Church at 500 West 34th St., Norfolk, the Rev. James Wilson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Park Place United Methodist Church or Lydia H. Roper Home. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made to her family through www.hdoliver.com.