Samuel Preston Massie Sr.

1928 - 2024

Samuel Preston Massie, Sr, 95, of Amherst passed peacefully on April 11, 2024. Samuel was born on July 30, 1928 to the late James and Sallie Massie at "Edgewood Farm" Sandidges in Amherst County, Virginia; the ancestral home of his great-grandparents. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 54 years, Ruth Myers "Spot" Massie; sisters Mrs. Eugenia Farrar, Mrs. Margaret Stevens, and Mrs. William (Nancy) Dickinson; brothers, James Harden Massie Jr., Joseph W. Massie Sr., Harvey Taliaferro Massie Sr., and Walter Price Massie Sr. He is survived by his daughters, Ann Massie Addison and husband Lewis, Sally Massie Glynn and husband Jim, Elizabeth Massie, and son Samuel Preston Massie, Jr, and wife Sharon; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Dr. Dana Durlach (Tom), Mark Addison and son Harper, Sam Addison, Gary Addison (Sarah) and their children, Wilder and Maddling, Jacob Groopman (Melody) Jessica Groopman (Solène) Hope Stevens, and Preston Stanley (Michael), and many nieces and nephews. Samuel served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1948 and was stationed in Panama. He learned his work ethic at an early age on the family farm and loved working in the family apple orchard and tobacco fields. In 1952, he opened Massie Insurance Agency and began a successful career with Nationwide Insurance Company that lasted 36 years; he achieved the President Club status many years. He loved meeting the people of Amherst, and Nelson Counties while selling insurance. In addition to his career, he gave generously of his time to the Amherst community. He was a member of the Amherst Rotary Club for many years, serving as president from 1985 to 86. He served as chairman of the Amherst Democratic Party, and was also a member of the Amherst Jaycees, serving as president. Mr. Massie enjoyed real estate development and built many homes in the Amherst community to improve the town. He was a lifetime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sandidges, VA. serving as a deacon for over 55 years, teaching the adult Sunday school class, and singing in the adult church choir. He served on many church committees and was a member of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Massie also took an active part in the planning and development of an addition to the church. In 1972, he purchased a boat "Dana Doll" and loved sharing many weekends at Smith Mountain Lake with his family. Many memories were made at the lake for 11 years. After his retirement in 1988 he enjoyed farming, vegetable gardening, growing roses, bird watching and gathering with family. In 1983 Samuel purchased a recreational vehicle. He and "Spot" traveled throughout the U.S. to every state except Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. He enjoyed his R.V. up to his wife's death in 2005. Trips in the RV included many winters in Florida, NASCAR races, and beach trips. The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude and appreciation for the care and compassion provided by many in-home nurses, the staff of Leesville Runk and Pratt Senior Living Community and the staff at Westminster Canterbury Retirement Community for their excellent care.

The family will receive friends and relatives April 16th at 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 210 Sandidges Road Amherst. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., interment will be held at Harewood Cemetery in Nelson County. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Building Fund, 210 Sandidges Road, Amherst, VA 24521. Driskill Funeral Chapel is serving the family.|Samuel Preston Massie, Sr, 95, of Amherst passed peacefully on April 11, 2024. Samuel was born on July 30, 1928 to the late James and Sallie Massie at "Edgewood Farm" Sandidges in Amherst County, Virginia; the ancestral home of his great-grandparents. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 54 years, Ruth Myers "Spot" Massie; sisters Mrs. Eugenia Farrar, Mrs. Margaret Stevens, and Mrs. William (Nancy) Dickinson; brothers, James Harden Massie Jr., Joseph W. Massie Sr., Harvey Taliaferro Massie Sr., and Walter Price Massie Sr. He is survived by his daughters, Ann Massie Addison and husband Lewis, Sally Massie Glynn and husband Jim, Elizabeth Massie, and son Samuel Preston Massie, Jr, and wife Sharon; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Dr. Dana Durlach (Tom), Mark Addison and son Harper, Sam Addison, Gary Addison (Sarah) and their children, Wilder and Maddling, Jacob Groopman (Melody) Jessica Groopman (Solène) Hope Stevens, and Preston Stanley (Michael), and many nieces and nephews. Samuel served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1948 and was stationed in Panama. He learned his work ethic at an early age on the family farm and loved working in the family apple orchard and tobacco fields. In 1952, he opened Massie Insurance Agency and began a successful career with Nationwide Insurance Company that lasted 36 years; he achieved the President Club status many years. He loved meeting the people of Amherst, and Nelson Counties while selling insurance. In addition to his career, he gave generously of his time to the Amherst community. He was a member of the Amherst Rotary Club for many years, serving as president from 1985 to 86. He served as chairman of the Amherst Democratic Party, and was also a member of the Amherst Jaycees, serving as president. Mr. Massie enjoyed real estate development and built many homes in the Amherst community to improve the town. He was a lifetime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sandidges, VA. serving as a deacon for over 55 years, teaching the adult Sunday school class, and singing in the adult church choir. He served on many church committees and was a member of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Massie also took an active part in the planning and development of an addition to the church. In 1972, he purchased a boat "Dana Doll" and loved sharing many weekends at Smith Mountain Lake with his family. Many memories were made at the lake for 11 years. After his retirement in 1988 he enjoyed farming, vegetable gardening, growing roses, bird watching and gathering with family. In 1983 Samuel purchased a recreational vehicle. He and "Spot" traveled throughout the U.S. to every state except Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. He enjoyed his R.V. up to his wife's death in 2005. Trips in the RV included many winters in Florida, NASCAR races, and beach trips. The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude and appreciation for the care and compassion provided by many in-home nurses, the staff of Leesville Runk and Pratt Senior Living Community and the staff at Westminster Canterbury Retirement Community for their excellent care.

The family will receive friends and relatives April 16th at 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 210 Sandidges Road Amherst. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., interment will be held at Harewood Cemetery in Nelson County. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Building Fund, 210 Sandidges Road, Amherst, VA 24521. Driskill Funeral Chapel is serving the family.