Dannelle Westbrook Messner

Dannelle (Danny) Westbrook Messner died peacefully at home Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the age of 97.

Born in Americus to Daniel and Jewel Westbrook, she attended St. Anthony and Rees Park schools before moving to Cordele, Georgia. She is a graduate of East Crisp County High School and the Warren Candler School of Nursing (in Savannah, Georgia), where she joined the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. Afterwards, she attended George Washington University in the graduate program. She served as a registered nurse, U.S. Navy, Korean era and attained the rank of LTJG. Due to regulations at the time, both spouses could not be in the military simultaneously, therefore, she resigned her commission to marry the love of her life, her “fly boy”, whom she met on a blind date. Danny reared four children while accompanying her naval aviator husband to various bases, including Japan. She was married to Jim for fifty years prior to his death in 2003. After returning to Americus when her husband retired, Danny became a faithful, longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she will be sorely missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James (J.R.) Messner, Cdr. USN, sisters Martha Westbrook and Elizabeth Williams.

She is survived by four children, Anna Crosby (VA), Kathy Messner (Americus), Robert Messner (KS), and Mike Messner (Americus); three grandchildren, Angie Mickel, Robert Wurtz, Carmen Perez; seven great-grandchildren, Clayton Wurtz, Kristopher Wurtz, Carter Dao, Peyton Wurtz, Taylor Wurtz, Emma Perez, and Dillon Perez; and one niece, Maureen Porter.

Mom, thank you for your guidance, support, and most of all, love. We miss you already.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in the Chapel of Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee Street, from 6:00PM to 7:30PM, followed by a Rosary from 7:30PM to 8:00PM.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, beginning at 11:00AM. Burial will follow the service at Andersonville National Cemetery at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donation be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund.

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Dannelle Westbrook Messner.