Mrs. Ruth Elizabeth Jordan Massey was born on July 15, 1947, to the late Mr. Lonnie A. Jordan and Mrs. Ethel Robinson-Hailey. Ruth was born and reared in Monroe, North Carolina. Educated in the Union County Public schools, she was a good student who loved to learn. In 1963, Ruth married Willis James McNeely, and to them five daughters were born: Brenda, Linda, Valerie, Laura, and Tracy. The family was devastated at the loss of their daughter, Valerie Lorraine, who died as an infant after a brief illness.
Ruth joined and attended Belmont Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. Ruth accepted Christ as her personal savior at a young age: Ruth loved the Lord. She was a loyal and dedicated member of Belmont Baptist Church who worked in several departments. She served as church secretary, Sunday school teacher, and in the Kitchen Ministry where she cooked and served in every capacity. She was a faithful member of the church until her health declined. She always acknowledged Belmont Baptist Church as her church home.
In 1970, Ruth met the love of her life, Mr. James Massey, Jr. They added a son to their family when James Massey III was born. Ruth continued to work outside of the home and to take care of her family. She loved to cook and maintained a spotless home. In addition, Ruth and James cared for her extended family, including her mother and her beloved grandmother, Katie Robinson, who was also one of Ruth’s closest confidants and friends. Ruth worked as a cashier but her main employment was as a domestic engineer. Ruth last worked at a day care center where she continued to demonstrate her love and care for young children. However, Ruth’s greatest legacy will be her love for her family and her children.
Family members who precede Ruth in death in addition to her parents and daughter Valerie Lorraine include her husband, James Massey, Jr., her sisters, Hattie Berry and Joyce Knuckles, two sons-in-law, Richard Strong and Minister Dwight Allen, and two grandsons, LaManual McKinney II, and Justin Allen.
Ruth Massey is survived by her son Mr. James Massey III, of the home, daughters, Mrs. Brenda Allen of Oxford, NC, Dr. Linda Strong-Leek (Kevin), of Richmond, KY, Mrs. Laura Sabrina Warren (Anthony), of Miami, FL., Mrs. Tracy McKinney (LaManual), of Hampton, VA.; two brothers, Mr. James Jordan of Virginia, and Mr. John Jordan of Tampa, FL.; One brother- in- law, Mr. Harry Massey, (Virginia), of Monroe, NC. two sisters-in-law, Ms. Alice Massey, and Mrs. Magdalene Massey, both of Monroe, NC. She is survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends also survives her. Ruth Massey was dearly loved and will be truly missed.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Ruth Elizabeth Massey, please visit our floral store.