Agnes Faye Massey

1931 - 2017

Agnes Faye Massey

Marshall - Faye Davis Massey, 85, a lifelong resident of the Big Pine community of Madison County, died after a brief illness, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville on Friday, April 28, 2017. She was surrounded by family and by her pastor, and passed away peacefully and loved. She was a devoted mother, a caring and generous neighbor, and a devout Christian.

Faye Massey was born on July 23, 1931, the daughter of Clyde William Davis (1907-1988) and Bernice Davis (1910-1995). She married Leonard Massey (1934-2004), all of the Big Pine community, on July 21, 1954. She and Leonard Massey had four children: Karen, who married Jim Baker; Gregory, who married Joyce Chandler; Jeffrey, who married Tammy Wallin, and Kevin, who married Michelle Fox. She had seven grandchildren: Anne and Sarah Baker; Candace Massey; Justin, Caleb and Melanie Massey; and Zachary Massey. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, by many close friends including confidant Inez Bradley, and also by her beloved dog Lucy.

Faye Massey lived her entire life in the Big Pine Community. She was a lifelong member of the North Fork Baptist Church, and actively participated in church functions and in the church choir. She was the Church Clerk for over forty years. She has ancestors extending several generations buried in the church cemetery, including her great-grandfather Solomon Davis, who was severely wounded at Gettysburg during the Civil War.

She had many interests and hobbies which brought her pleasure. She was a passionate gardener, with a huge garden near her home. From her garden she preserved and canned vegetables of unmeasured quantities, which she joyously shared with family, neighbors and friends. Her driveway and the areas around her house were lined with her flowers and shrubs, a delight to passers-by. She loved cooking for family and friends. She maintained bird feeders across her yard, contributing to the well being of the welcome birds and unwelcome squirrels. For her own entertainment, she enjoyed reading, and doing word and number puzzles.

Faye Massey was a special person. Her contributions as a wife, a homemaker, a mother and grandmother, a church member, and a neighbor, can hardly be given justice here. For those who knew her, and loved her, their lives were blessed and enriched. One can only imagine the benefits to the world if we had but a few more Faye Masseys.

The family wishes to extend its thanks, for the excellent medical care she received, to her personal physician of thirty-plus years, Dr. Robert Kline of Asheville; and during her final illness, to the staff of Memorial Mission Hospital.

The family will receive friends at Blue Ridge Funeral Service in Mars Hill on Sunday, April 30, 2017, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at her church, North Fork Baptist Church, in the Big Pine Community, on Monday May 1, at 2:00 PM. Pall bearers will be grandsons Justin, Caleb, and Zachary Massey; future grandson in law, Jordan Ducker; brother in law Don Massey; and neighbors Ricky Buckner and Ronnie Buckner. Pastor Gary Fender will conduct services. Burial will follow in the North Fork Baptist Church cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband Leonard Massey.