Russell Everett "Russ" Messer passed away Sunday, June 28, 2020, in Nash UNC Health Care, Rocky Mount, N. C.

A graveside service will be held Friday, July 3 at 10:00 A.M at Edgecombe Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Noah Howard officiating.

Russ was born January 12, 1936, in Edgecombe County to the late Albert C. Messer and Mabel Hathaway Messer.

Russ was music director and organist at St. Peter Church in Danbury, Connecticut, for a number of years.  Upon returning to Eastern North Carolina, he taught piano and music theory to many talented students in the area.

Russ called Breckenridge Retirement Center in Rocky Mount home for the last 10 plus years.  He was lovingly known by staff and residents alike as the "King of Breckenridge".  He is remembered for his sharp wit and keen sense of humor and made friends wherever he went.  He was described as a "kind and gentle man".  Russ will certainly be missed by many.

Russ is survived by his cousins, Gina Duncan Causway (Mitchell) of Tarboro N.C, Vicky Baker Smith (David) of Hope, Maine, and Barbara Baker Brown (Jimmy) of Belhaven, N. C., and all of his adopted Breckenridge family and friends.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Russ's memory to St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Tarboro, N. C.