Reverend Samuel J. Messina, a priest of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi for 60 years, entered eternal life on August 1, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi, at the age of 86, just days prior to his 87th birthday.

He was born in 1938, in Grenada, Mississippi, to John V. Messina, and Mary T. Messina. He attended the seminary at St. Joseph Seminary/College in Covington, Louisiana, and the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, and was ordained into the Holy Priesthood on May 29, 1965. He celebrated his First Solemn Mass on June 6, 1965, at St. Peter's Church, Grenada, Mississippi.

Fr. Messina served the Catholic Congregations throughout Mississippi as Parochial Vicar, Pastor, Director of the Diaconate, Dean, and Chaplain in numerous locations in Mississippi: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hattiesburg; St. Michael, Vicksburg; St. Joseph, Greenville; St. Teresa of Avila, Chatawa; Immaculate Conception, West Point; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Natchez; St. Joseph, Port Gibson; Mercy Hospital, McAuley Retirement Home & Mercy Sisters, Vicksburg; All Saints, Belzoni; Our Mother of Mercy Mission, Anguilla; St. Mary, Batesville; St. John the Baptist Mission, Sardis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joseph, and his sisters Katherine, Rose, and Teresa. Fr. Messina is survived by his sister, Mary, and nieces and nephews, Judith Anne, John Paul, Joseph, Doug, Brian, Rita, Diane, Michael, Maria, Connie, Ray, John, and a number of great-nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 17, followed by a Rosary at 6:00 pm at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service, 4817 Commerce Street, Grenada, MS. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18, at St. Peter's Church, 320 College Blvd., Grenada, MS. Visitation will also be held one hour before the Mass. Bishop Joseph Kopacz will be the main celebrant.  Fr. Messina will be laid to rest in the Messina Family Plot at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grenada.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).