George Pritchard \ Massey

WEAVERVILLE—Rev. George P. "Cotton" Massey, age 88, of 9 Colby Dr., went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 29, 2012. He was an amazing man and a tremendous blessing to all who knew him. Cotton was born in Buncombe County on November 28, 1923, to Rev. Ottis C. and Lovada Buckner Massey. He was the third oldest of 12 children and had resided at 338 Monticello Rd. for most of his life. He was a woodworker with William Brownell Lumber Co. and an avid farmer who took pleasure in raising cattle and tobacco along with several other crops. Farming was a hard life but he enjoyed it very much and had a really strong work ethic which helped to keep him strong and healthy for most of his life. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received two Bronze Stars while fighting in the German Theater. When he was still a young man he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. A few years later he announced his call to preach and proceeded to pastor several churches over 45 years in Madison County. He was also a former president of the French Broad Lions Club and a former Boy Scout leader. He was a good and constant provider for all his family and we all loved him very dearly. He was our rock and pillar of strength and he always seemed to have the right solution for any problem. Mere words will never be able to describe how truly great of a man that he was and what he meant to his family and all who knew him. He was the most humble man that we have ever known and we are all going to greatly miss him until that wonderful reunion day in Heaven when all that have accepted Jesus as their Savior will be reunited. Other than his parents, "Cotton" was also preceded in death by a precious daughter, Barbara Ann Hensley; four brothers, Fletcher, J.C., Harrison, and Spencer Massey; four sisters, Clara Gaddy, Marie Rice, Roxie Lister, and Lucy Rice. He was also preceded by several other family members that he loved and cared for very much. Left here to share his memory are his wife of 67 years, Edna Johnson Massey; one brother, Ott Massey; two sisters, Elsie Davis and Judy Mathis; five children, Larry Massey and wife Vera, Linda Edwards and husband Dorsey, Pat Coker, Susan Proffitt and husband Gary, and Steve Massey and wife Tammy; ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild, with other numerous extended family members. Dad is in Heaven now and has already been reunited with all the loved ones that went on before him. Our time is quickly approaching. Be sure that you are ready so that we all can be together again. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2012, in Mt. Sheba Baptist Church of which he was a member, with the Revs. Steve Rhinehart, Steve Massey and Gary Fender officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Sheba Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the VFW Post #5483, Mars Hill Memorial Team. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. At other times, the family will be at the residence. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Rev. Massey's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.