RALEIGH, N.C. —  Live one day at a time, without fear, Tammy Faye Messner said earlier this month as she battled cancer, weighing just 65 pounds.

Messner, who as Tammy Faye Bakker helped her husband, Jim, build a multimillion-dollar evangelism empire that collapsed in disgrace, has died, her manager said Saturday. She was 65.

Messner had battled colon cancer since 1996 that more recently spread to her lungs. She passed away peacefully Friday at her home near Kansas City, Mo., said Joe Spotts, who was also Messner's booking agent.

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

Messner had frequently spoken about her medical problems, saying she hoped to be an inspiration to others.

"Don't let fear rule your life," she said. "Live one day at a time, and never be afraid." But she told well-wishers in a note on her Web site in May that the doctors had stopped trying to treat the cancer.

In an interview with CNN's Larry King earlier this month, an emaciated Messner _ still using her trademark makeup _ said, "I believe when I leave this earth, because I love the Lord, I'm going straight to heaven." Asked if she had any regrets, Messner said: "I don't think about it, Larry, because it's a waste of good brain space."
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jul23/0,4670,ObitTammyFayeMessner,00.html

R.I.P. to her. I didn't know too much about her other than that huge case she and Jim were involved in but she was a pretty cool lady on Surreal Life.