Sallie Jill Messervy

Sallie Jill Mikesell Messervy went to join her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Jill was born on May 3, 1947 to her beloved parents Robert and Sallie Mikesell in Chicago, IL with whom she now rests in Heaven. Jill enjoyed a wonderful childhood in Winter Park, FL and graduated from Winter Park High School in 1965. Jill graduated from the University of Florida at Gainesville in 1969 where she became a certified Occupational Therapist. Jill spent her early career working with patients at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she met and married her husband, Dr. Thomas Walker Messervy.

Jill is survived by her husband of 48 years and her two children, Katherine Jenkins (Bobby) of Charlotte, NC, and Thomas Messervy (Stephanie) of San Francisco, CA. She is also survived by her brother Bob Mikesell and her sister Phyllis Keith (Bob). Jill adored her three grandchildren: Lucy Jenkins, and Thomas and Walker Messervy and constantly doted on them. Jill is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her cherished sister-in-law Beverly Mikesell and her step-father Reverend Bob Phillips. Jill also leaves behind her adored fur baby Jackson, a Labradoodle, who was her trusted companion and accompanied her always.

Jill devoted most of her adult life in Columbia, SC to her family. She was a dedicated and faithful wife and an incredible mother raising her family with limitless love, compassion, and tenderness. She also worked as an occupational therapist treating children in the Lexington County School District. Jill loved working with elementary-aged children to improve their quality of life. Jill spent many years and much of her free time mentoring high school and college-aged girls. She was energized always by giving of herself.

Jill brought love, smiles and infectious positivity everywhere she went and left any room she entered all the better. She loved Jesus above all else and lived to share His word and a hug with anyone in need. She had an unwavering faith in Jesus' perfect plan for herself and her family. Jill touched so many people in her life through various volunteer projects and particularly in her work in elder care at nursing facilities throughout the Columbia area.

Shortly after retirement, Jill moved with her husband to Mount Pleasant, SC where she spent time refining her passion for gardening, photography and painting. She showed her art in various forums and was a talented and prolific artist who humbly downplayed her artistic gifts. She spent the last several years at Bishop Gadsden in Charleston, SC where she enjoyed the company of so many dear and cherished friends. Jill spent her summers for the last 12 years at her home in Sapphire, NC. She was a member of the Burlingame Country Club where she delighted in her many treasured friendships and the joy of the mountain community she loved so much.

Although we are heartbroken for the loss of our angel, we rejoice and take comfort knowing she is in Heaven, in perfect peace, with the Lord.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Jill on December 21, 2021, at Noon at the Chapel at Bishop Gadsden in Charleston officiated by a dear friend of Jill's, Pastor Charles Jenkins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406; www.charlestonanimalsociety.org

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at https://www.mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL & CREMATION, James Island, SC, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412 (843) 614-8494.