Beverly Jean Messerschmidt

Beverly Messerschmidt was born on September 17, 1946 in Fort Worth, Texas. The daughter of M. LaVerne (Spruell) Williams and John Webb Williams, she grew up in Fort Worth and remained there until the early, unexpected, death of her father in 1960 changed her trajectory. Her sister Judith Ann (Williams) Rash was 10 years older than her, and had married and moved away prior to their father's death. Beverly went to live with her sister in 1963, to finish high school. She lived with them on the base at Griffis AFB in Rome, NY. She played french horn in high school, marched in the school band, and won a NY state archery competition. She met her first husband, James F. Rae, on the base, as he was also stationed there. They married in May 1965. She gave birth to her daughter, Sandra, while her husband was away on active duty in Vietnam. Shortly after her husband returned from Vietnam, they were divorced.
Beverly moved to Albany, NY, with her daughter, where Beverly worked for Mohawk Airlines. She was employed with Mohawk for a little over a year and then moved to Revere, MA, working at Logan Airport with Allegheny Airlines, later to become USAir and then USAirways. She loved her work with the airline industry and met her second husband there in 1970. During her second marriage, she was able to own a home and had the opportunity to travel abroad which she greatly enjoyed. They were later divorced in 1979.
She met her third husband, Elmer "Smitty" Messerschmidt, in 1980 and they were married a few years later, enlarging their families, including bringing her stepdaughters, Karen and Diane, into her life. They moved to Dunedin, FL, in 1985, tired of the snow and long commutes in Massachusetts. Much of their social life was with their coworkers during those years. Smitty was also a long time employee in the airline industry and they both worked for USAirways until their individual retirements. After retirement, as she was never a woman to rest on her laurels, Beverly took a position as an administrative assistant with Bay Life Church. She worked with them for many years, and was well-known and well-loved within their community. She grew in her faith and character with their Life Group and felt supported and cared for in the company of her Bay Life friends and coworkers. Simultaneously, she was deeply involved in the Elks community for decades, was a past Lady President, and was active in fundraisers and events for many years. Additionally, because she liked to keep busy and wanted a creative outlet, she started a home business with Stampin' Up, making greeting cards, teaching classes, and selling her cards and other items at craft fairs and at events. She led a full, active, and creative life.
She was predeceased by her husband, Smitty, who passed away in October, 2020. Following her husband's death, and due to her own medical conditions, she moved to Aldea Green, an assisted living facility. She made friends there, tried to be of service by taking an interest in her neighbors, including reading to one of the other residents who was incapacitated. She tried to continue to enjoy her life, even as her Alzheimer's condition and her worsening frailty with osteoporosis made that so much harder.
She was typically a happy person, and the last photo of her, taken just two weeks before she died, showed her smiling and at ease. She always tried to choose happiness; she loved parades, especially the Rose Bowl, football games that involved the Cowboys, and parties of all kinds (most especially Christmas parties). Her favorite songs in the 1970s and 80s included "Up, Up and Away" by the 5th Dimension, "Brand New Key" by Melanie, "The Pina Colada Song" by Rupert Holmes, and later Christian Rock that she learned about through Baylife.
She leaves her daughter Sandra Rae, her stepdaughter Karen Messerschmidt, her stepdaughter Diane (Messerschmidt) Vojtas, her grandson Dylan Rae Nelson, her step-grandchildren Payton and Nolan Vojtas, her niece Colleen (Rash) Arnold, her nephew Donald Rash, her nephew Keith Rash, and her great nephews Ryan Arnold, Kyle Rash, Kory Rash and great nieces Cassandra Rash and Danielle Rash. We thank Valerie Rash for her assistance. Our love and appreciation is also extended to her Bay Life and Elks community friends, with special appreciation to Nancy Hardt who was so consistent with her love and attention. Thank you to Sheila Mitchell for her assistance, love and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elks charitable foundations, to Bay Life Church, or to any other charity that supports the work of helping children and families in need.