Joyce Harper Massee, 79, of Fitzgerald, passed away at her home on Sunday, August 14, 2011.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 17, at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Keith Goodlett and the Rev. B.J. Funk officiating. Mark Massee, Leah Walker, and Tim Anderson will deliver eulogies. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary from 1 PM until the service hour.
Mrs. Massee was born May 18, 1932 in Irwin County to the late John B. and Elizabeth Whitley Harper. She graduated with honors from Ocilla High School and was soon employed by the Irwin County Health Department. She was a former resident of Jesup where she served as president of the Jaycettes and was also a member of the Junior Women’s Club. After moving back to Fitzgerald, she became very involved at Central United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, president of the UMW, chairperson of the Administrative Board, circle leader and was an active choir member. She again became involved with the Jaycette organization, serving as president, and in 1964 was named Fitzgerald’s Outstanding Jaycette, and later that year was named Outstanding Jaycette in the state of Georgia. Some of her honors include Miss Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County’s Homemaker of the Year, Club Woman of the Year in 1957 for the Jesup Junior Woman’s Club, Mother of the Year in 1982 by the Fitzgerald Junior Woman’s Club, PTA President, and named an Outstanding Young Woman of America. She was also a former member of the Review Club and a member of the Gateway Garden Club serving one term as vice-president. Mrs. Massee was active with the American Cancer Society, the Heart Association and the Christian Kitchen. She enjoyed walking with her many friends and traveled to many countries including: Europe, Canada, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand. Recently she enjoyed trips to Hilton Head Island, SC and Branson, MO. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who performed numerous acts of kindness for her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years: Marion H. Massee, III, Fitzgerald; sons: Mark H. (Sherry) Massee and M. Lee (Connie) Massee of Fitzgerald, J. Cleve (Kathy) Massee of Dacula and Drew K. (Jill) Massee of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Adam Massee, Jacob Massee, Luke (Courtney) Massee, Leah (Daniel) Walker, Elizabeth (Chase) Brooks, Laura Massee, Sarah Massee, Ward Massee, Rebecca Massee & Margaret Massee; great grandchildren: Caroline Massee, Kate Massee & Massee Claire Brooks; sisters: Chloe (Hartwell) Sims of Hilliard, FL, Lanelle (Dr. Dale) Huff, Prattville, AL and Rae (Richard) Cobb of Raleigh, NC; brother: Lamar (Ginger) Whitley of Ocilla; longtime dear friend and caregiver, Annelle King as well as several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Robin Anne Massee, granddaughter, Mallory Elizabeth Massee and two brothers, Kenneth E. Harper and Dorman Lee Harper.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.