Messner was 65. She made her battle with colon cancer public, saying she hoped to be an inspiration to others.
Her ex-husband Jim Bakker issued a news release saying Tammy Faye "lived her life like the song she sang, 'If Life Hands You a Lemon, Make Lemonade."'
Messner divorced Bakker in 1992 while he was in prison for defrauding millions of dollars from followers of their PTL television ministries.
Earlier this month, she gave an interview to CNN's Larry King, in which she appeared emaciated but still wore her trademark makeup. Messner said she believed she was going "straight to heaven," because she loved the Lord.
Messner died Friday at her home near Kansas City, Missouri.
/>
