Joe Thurman Massey

Mr. Joe Thurman Massey, 95 years and almost 9 months, passed away August 2, 2018 at home surrounded by his loved ones after complications from health problems.

Mr. Thurman graduated from Bruce High School and began his patriotic duty by serving in the U.S. Navy flying in the Dauntless Douglas Anti-Submarine Patrol aircraft while stationed at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California as a Radioman Second Class.

His duty included patrolling out of Kaneoe Bay, Air Base Hawaii and later in the Marshall Islands at Roi-Namur Air Field Kwajalein Atoll South Pacific, on an air strip just over 1000 feet long.

Developing Tuberculosis, his tour was shortened due to this medical condition and upon receiving an Honorable Discharge he returned home and began farming.

Mr. Thurman stated he loved working hard, sweating and “turning the dirt.” Around 1960 he began a second job as a Rural Letter Carrier which lasted approximately 36 years; meanwhile the farming turned into maintaining huge gardens. He would disk up gardens of others in the community when they had no other means of doing so. He became quite well known by raising gourds for Purple Martin houses, but his grandchildren mostly remember the watermelons he raised.

Mr. Massey was a Christian man who raised his family under the principles of the Bible, while believing strongly in having integrity, loving your neighbor and keeping your name respectable. He was well respected for many years as the song leader for Rocky Branch Baptist Church and later at Mt. Comfort Baptist Church.

Mr. Massey is preceded by his parents, Truman (T.Z.) and Alpha Card Massey, his wife of 63 years Mary Maxine Coston Massey, brothers Ernest Massey, Tack Massey, Hubert Massey and sister Syble Massey Brasher and daughter-in-law Regina “Tink” Massey.

He is survived by sons: Perry (Linda) Massey of Batesville, Joe (Ann) Massey of Bruce, Terry Massey of Bruce, and daughter: Vicki Sue Massey of Bruce, who took loving care of him in the home after his wife Maxine passed away in 2009.

Grandchildren: Shannon Wayne (Amanda) Massey, Greg Massey, Nichole (Glenn) Coleman, Teddy Joe (Susan) Massey, Satrina Massey, Tommy Kulvanish, March Kulvanish, Bobby Kulvanish, Amanda (Chris) Gulledge, Alicia (T.J.) Pharr.

Great-Grand Children: Lane Massey, Jessi Massey, Nathan Massey, Carter Massey, Will Massey, Mary Massey Perkins, Gage Perkins, Sarah Kay Coleman, Landen Kulvanish, Kyden Kulvanish, Hunter Kulvanish, Austin Massey, Miley Massey, Fisher Gulledge, Emory Gulledge, Lily Pharr, Tripp Pharr.

A funeral service honoring Mr. Massey's life will be held on Sunday August 5, 2018 at 2:00 pm in Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. J.R. Eaton officiating. Burial will be in Bruce Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday August 4, 2018 at Parker Memorial Funeral Home from 5:00 until 8:00. Pallbearers were Chris Gulledge, Greg Massey, Lane Massey, Shannon Massey, Teddy Joe Massey, and T.J. Pharr.

Funeral services entrusted to Parker Memorial Funeral Homes of Bruce. We are honored to be serving the needs of the Massey family.