Home : R.I.P. : Tammy Faye Dies at 65

R.I.P.
Tammy Faye Dies at 65

Posted Jul 21st 2007 10:02PM by TMZ Staff

Tammy Faye MessnerTammy Faye Messner, who as Tammy Faye Bakker helped her husband, Jim, build a multimillion-dollar evangelism empire and then saw it collapse in disgrace, has died. She was 65.

Messner, who had battled colon cancer since 1996 that more recently spread to her lungs, died peacefully at her home Friday, said her booking agent, Joe Spotts, in an e-mail to the Associated Press.

A family service was held Saturday in a private cemetery, where her ashes were interred, he said.


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(Page 3 of 30) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. RIP, Tammy.

The angels were lonely and called for you.

Posted at 10:30PM on Jul 21st 2007 by sula

32. Wasn't always a fan but I feel bad for her. no one wants to go like that.She must have suffered immensely. Please all be kind.

Posted at 10:32PM on Jul 21st 2007 by No cults allowed

33. R.I.P. Tammy.

Posted at 10:33PM on Jul 21st 2007 by hello, it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

34. God bless you Tammy Faye, you were an inspiration with your unending zest for life, your giving spirit and love for everyone. Rest in Peace.

Posted at 10:34PM on Jul 21st 2007 by crackerhead

35. That's really sad. My thoughts and prayers are with Tammy and her family. She struggled for so long to survive this tragic disease. To be honest, I'm surprised that she lived(with this illness)for as long as she did. Tammy Faye is a true fighter and an inspiration.

And to POST # 8, you are so right. If anyone has anything rude to say about Tammy Faye, they should really keep those thoughts to themselves. Tammy Faye did nothing wrong and doesn't deserve those rude comments.

Posted at 10:54PM on Jul 21st 2007 by Maggie

36. I WAS SO HAPPY THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO THE WORLD LIKE A LADY.
NOW SHE CAN REALLY REST IN PEACE. PEOPLE BE KIND IT IS VERY UNPLEASANT TO LOSE SOMEONE YOU LOVE. BE KIND TO HER HUSBAND WHO WAS HER CAREGIVER AND TO HER CHILDREN. LIFE IS HARD ENOUGH. REST IN PEACE.
J.R.

Posted at 10:39PM on Jul 21st 2007 by J.R.

37. You made it Tammy Faye....Rest in peace in God's loving kingdom. I love you for the love, strength and courage you displayed to others.

Posted at 10:38PM on Jul 21st 2007 by Lynne

38. I'm not a fan of the religious right, any religious right, or uber secular left, but my hart
goes out to her son and family.

Was CNN and Larry King trying to exploit Tammy Faye when she was in her most ill
to get a public reaction?

Posted at 10:41PM on Jul 21st 2007 by BOEING 787-8

39. just saw her on larry king. looked like see was in so much pain. very frail and could hardly talk. i remember saying that she will be gone soon. i wonder did jim have a comment regarding her passing? God bless her and her family

Posted at 10:49PM on Jul 21st 2007 by just asking

40. Loved her. She had a great personality and such a caring spirit. At least she's no longer suffering.

Posted at 10:40PM on Jul 21st 2007 by Ugh

41. Truly, God bless Tammy Faye. We all make mistakes but Tammy Faye was God fearing and loving. I know the Lord God has forgiven her and will certainly be in Heaven.

Posted at 10:42PM on Jul 21st 2007 by Lucille

42. A couple of Tammy Faye's accomplishments was ministering to gays many years ago when, it was not only unpopular but, she strongly felt that God could care less what type of package you can in.
She had a lovely voice, recorded well over 20 albums singing the Gospel.
Never once that I'm aware of, did she have a hurtful thing to day about anyone, ever.
Excellent sense of humor and enjoyed laughing at herself, too.
She told Larry King on Thursday she wanted to be remembered for her eyelashes.
That woman had a heart of pure gold.

These are things I learned about Tammy Faye by seeing her on Larry King, Surreal Life, the PTL scandal and articles over the years.

I know I missed much, much more. She's a gift to all of us whether some choose to let her in or not.

Posted at 10:42PM on Jul 21st 2007 by Barb

43. rip tammy faye

Posted at 10:43PM on Jul 21st 2007 by lizzie

44. OK, I know this woman was an icon for the 80's televangestic excess, and her makeup spawned the famous "I ran into Tammy Faye Baker" t-shirts (that showed an outline of a face with running mascara, lots of lipstick & face powder). And yes, I know her manner is off putting for some. I felt that way back in the 80's & 90's.

That having been said, I also know that she may have been annoying, but her heart was in a good place. In my opinion, her ex-husband and his partners were primarily to blame for the entire PTL mess. If you can affix blame to her, it's because she naively trusted those around her. I got a good look at her, when she was involved in that celebrity living together reality show a couple of years ago. She actually made friends with, of all people, porn star Ron Jeremy, even AFTER he told her what he did for a living. Gotta say, most of the religious people I know would have arrogantly shunned him & walked away; she didn't. I think that speaks to the content of her character, and her commitment to seeing people as they truly are inside.

Whether you liked her or were annoyed by her, there won't be another Tammy Faye. I hope she finds the peace, wherever she may be, that she was never able to find while she was alive. RIP, Tammy Faye...

Posted at 10:44PM on Jul 21st 2007 by RIP Tammy Faye

45. R.I.P Tammy,

D:

:*(

Posted at 10:48PM on Jul 21st 2007 by Alexxxxx

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