Anita Lynne Messenger, 72, of Bismarck, Arkansas, passed away peacefully into the presence of her Savior on August 26, 2026.

Anita was born on September 2, 1953, in Victorville, California. Growing up in Oregon, she was active in 4-H with her beloved horse, Bailey, and worked alongside her family at their store in Aumsville, J&W Market. After graduating from Salem Academy in 1971, she worked in the local grade school library before attending Bartlesville Wesleyan College in Oklahoma. It was there that she met the love of her life, Clarence Messenger. They were married and later moved to Arkansas in late 1980, settling in Bismarck in 1981 to build their life and raise their family.

Anita possessed a deeply rooted faith in Jesus Christ. For many years, she poured her heart into The Witness Production, sharing the gospel message through dramatic ministry and live production.

She had a vibrant, independent spirit, a passion for gardening, and a true gift for raising and working with animals. Over the years on their farm in Bismarck, Anita cared for cattle, mules, rabbits, assorted fowl, her gentle Great Pyrenees dogs, and her prize goats, which she actively showed and bred throughout the 1980s. In the 1990s, she achieved national recognition breeding and selling Morab horses across the country.

Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Messenger, and her father, John Creason.

She is survived by her mother, Barbara Creason; her brother, John Creason; three sisters, Deborah Manning, Leslie Huffaker (Marvin), and Audrey Creason; two sons, Cody Messenger (Jillian) and Justin Messenger; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating her life and faith will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Suttle Ridge at Degray, with Bro. John Franklin officiating. A time of fellowship and light refreshments will follow the service. Online condolences can be made at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net