Desta Ann Hodges-Messer

Desta Ann Hodges Messer, aged 77, passed away on April 12, 2023.  She was born in Honolulu, HI on May 7th, 1945 to Lemuel Elias Hodges and Daisy Mae Milford.  She is survived by daughter, Connie Lynn Cox, 60, daughter Julie Cox-Conner, 58, son Gene Messer, 55, three grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her siblings, Hal Henry Hodges and Marsha Branch. 

Desta relentlessly pursued her education, earning a B.S. in Nursing from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA and her Master’s level Nurse Practitioners degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

Her professional life was spent in the nursing field, specializing in OB/GYN and women’s health.  She served as an LPN, RN, BSRN and Nurse Practitioner until her retirement. 

Desta will be greatly missed by her close friends and family that she always kept close throughout her life.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at Cedar Bay Funeral Home, 405 New Berlin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32218.

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