Hilda (Sides) Messer

Hilda Sides Messer, age 90, passed away Saturday, October 7 at her home after a brave battle with cancer. She was born in Rockwell, NC on May 21, 1933, to Ray Sides and Bertie Beaver Sides. Small in stature but mighty in spirit and consumed by her faith in her lord Jesus Christ, she inspired all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years George William (Bill) Messer. She is survived by her brother Bobby Sides and sister-in-love Francis Sides; her daughter Laura and husband Mark Spears; and her son Mitchell Messer. She is also survived by grandson Andrew Conway, wife Kristen, and their children Hunter, Holden, and Hannah; granddaughter Leah Tonissen, husband Drew, and their children Kate and Elise; grandson John David Conway and wife Hillary Sheaff; grandson William Messer and son, Turner; grandchildren, Lindsay Spears and Jon Spears  and her very special granddaughter Samantha Messer .Hilda was lovingly known as "Mana" by her 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She attended Rowan County schools and graduated from China Grove High School in 1951. After graduating, she worked as a switchboard operator at Cannon Mills Company. In the 1970s she worked as the financial secretary of North Kannapolis Baptist Church. She then returned to school for her associate degree and took a job in Accounts Payable at Cannon Mills. Always a hard worker, she became an executive secretary in the Safety Department at Fieldcrest Cannon before retiring.
She loved her community of Kannapolis. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was a GA leader and sang in the adult choir for many years at North Kannapolis Baptist Church. Most recently, she was very involved in the senior programs and Adult 4 Sunday School and sang in the senior adult choir at First Baptist Church Kannapolis.

She was an accomplished seamstress and made beautiful garments for her family to wear and enjoy. She had an eye for fashion. When shopping, if she could not find exactly what she was looking for, she made it! Her beautifully knitted sweaters, hats, and baby blankets kept her whole family warm.

She and her husband Bill enjoyed dancing and traveled the country square dancing. Bill and Hilda met on a dance floor and there was no better way to enjoy their life together! We are rejoicing today that they are together once again dancing in heaven.

A service to celebrate Hilda's life will be held at First Baptist Church, Main St Kannapolis on Wednesday, October 11,2023 conducted by Dr. Thomas E. Cabaniss. The family will receive friends at 10:00am at the church and the service will follow.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 101 N Main Street, Kannapolis or Trellis Supportive Care 301 S Main Street, Salisbury.

Online condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfunerahome.com.