Eva Faye Messick

MESSICK CASSELBERRY, FL - Eva Faye Messick of Casselberry, FL, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, George Franklin Messick; father, Joseph Eikler; mother, Effie Eikler Proctor; and siblings, Maynard Eikler and Mamie Powers. Faye was born November 3, 1923 in Blakeley, WV. Orphaned before the age of 7, she was raised by an uncle and aunt in Mammoth, WV. During World War II, Faye moved to Akron, OH to work at Goodyear Aircraft as a "Rosie the Riveter" on Corsair fighters. After the war she was on the wait staff at Akron's upscale Garden Grill. Another waitress at the restaurant introduced Faye to Frank Messick who had served in the Army Air Corps during the war. They were married in March of 1947. After the birth of her youngest child, Faye became a full-time homemaker. In 1959, Faye and Frank sold their Akron home and moved to Florida, settling in Casselberry. Her friendly manner led Faye to become active in the local Welcome Wagon Club for several years. The meetings were held at Community United Methodist Church (CUMC) and Faye made that Church her new spiritual home. During the 49 years she attended church there, she sang in the choir, taught children's and adult Sunday School classes, taught Vacation Bible School for many summers, was an active member of the United Methodist Women serving several terms as president and holding other offices at both CUMC and the district levels, was a member of the Hope Circle, served as secretary of the church's Official Board, organized several of the Church's Mother-Daughter banquets and special prayer services, represented CUMC as a lay delegate to the Florida United Methodist Annual Conference, received the 2008 Woman of the Year honor and wrote the history of CUMC. Faye was a firm believer in the power of prayer and for many years regularly attended a weekly home prayer group as well as an afternoon prayer group to pray for requests turned in by the CUMC congregation. From the early 1970s to the 1990s, Faye used her talent and creativity to make and decorate wedding cakes for many brides in the area. She also worked as a receptionist in a Casselberry law firm. In addition, Faye and Frank enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with friends and to Frank's military reunions. Faye is survived by daughters, Sue Buchanan (Dave) of Highlands, NC and Patricia Messick of Winston-Salem, NC; sister, Madeline "Jimmie" Blevins of Olive Hill, KY; grandsons, Matthew Buchanan (Amy) of Sorrento, FL and Daniel Buchanan (Jade) of Leesburg, FL; great-grandchildren, Dusti of Orange City, FL and Rylee and Ryan of Leesburg, FL. Visitation will be Sunday, August 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home-Altamonte Springs West. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, August 23, at 3 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church in Casselberry. A Graveside Service will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Community United Methodist Church, 4921 S. US Hwy 17/92, Casselberry, FL 32707.