Willene Taylor Massey

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Visitation Schedule
Strawberry Church of Christ
80 North Main Street
Strawberry, AR  72469
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Following Services
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Strawberry Church of Christ
80 North Main Street
Strawberry, AR  72469
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
10:00am
Cemetery
Ward Cemetery
Hwy 117
Strawberry, AR  72469
Memorial Contributions
Paragould Children's Home
5515 Walcott Rd
Paragould, AR  72450


Ward Cemetery â„… Bank of Cave City at Strawberry
114 East River Drive
Strawberry, AR  72469


Arkansas Children's Hospital
1 Children's Way
Little Rock, AR  72202
Willene Taylor Massey

of Strawberry, AR

February 5, 1940 - June 15, 2024

Joy filled the streets of Heaven and the angels rejoiced on Saturday, June 15, 2024 when our precious Willene was called home.

Willene ''Taylor'' Massey, affectionately known to many as nanny or nanny-great, entered this world on February 5, 1940. Born in Strawberry, Arkansas to Alex Elijah and Oretha Mae Crabtree Taylor, she was one of five siblings. One of those being her twin brother and built-in best friend, Willie. Willie and Willene were a tornado of fun, often the source of laughter and mischief. Where Willie was full of jokes, Willene was quick-witted and spunky.

On July 14, 1957, Willene married her high school sweetheart, James ''Jim'' Massey. Together, they would spend nearly 66 years demonstrating what a Godly marriage looks like. They moved to Indiana for a few years, where they started their family. Twila Jeanette was the first of four and when they discovered Willene was having twins, they moved back to Strawberry. In 1961, their family of three grew to a family of five with the birth of James Taylor and Jeffery Allen. However, heartache struck just two years later when they lost Jeffery Allen; thankfully, the good Lord saw fit to bless them with another child, Pamela Machell. Willene was blessed to enjoy ten grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren and through them all, left a legacy of love spanning three states.

Willene's resume reads like that of a traditional homemaker of her time. She was known for making some of the best rolls and pies around town. She took pride in keeping a tidy home, in maintaining a garden and beautiful flowers, and opening her home to anyone passing by. Willene did spend time working outside of her home in various roles. She spent time working within the Strawberry school system as a lunchroom cook. The General Store would not have been the same without her big smile and welcoming voice as she assisted her dear friend, Geneva Durham, keep the place running. She enjoyed her time working in retail and also worked at the Strawberry Grocery and Saffell Grocery. Willene was an accomplished seamstress and could sew anything, a three-piece suit for James and wedding dresses for both daughters. However, one of her proudest creations were the baby quilts she made for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

While Willene enjoyed working in the community, she took the most pride in taking care of her family. From counting the cows with Jim to showing her grands her beautiful flowers, Willene always found a way to make you feel welcome. No one that arrived at her doorstep was a stranger and absolutely no one left hungry. Her family fondly remembers her asking often, ''Have you eaten?'', ''Are you hungry?'', ''What do you want to eat?''. And of course, never forget the importance of eating your dessert first. Willene loved all things sweet and believed that life was too short not to enjoy the little things in life.

Over the last five years, dementia took a great toll on Willene. Her favorite game show, Wheel of Fortune, lost its appeal. Her word searches, sudoku puzzles and coloring pages became harder and harder to complete. Names, faces and memories slowly faded away. Yet one thing that never waivered was her love for the Lord (okay, okay and desserts, she loved desserts until the end). While she often struggled with what year it was and who was who, she never lost her love of the Lord. During online church services, she would hum and sing along with the hymns. Just this past Christmas, she sang ''It Is Well'' at the dining room table. Without a doubt, she is praising His name in Heaven, singing ''It is well with my soul'', completely healed from her earthly pain.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James ''Jim''; her parents; sister, Daphne (John) Wyatt; brothers, Taylor C. (Carol) Taylor and Willie Taylor; son, Jeffery Allen; son-in-law, Rick Cook and great-granddaughter, Willow Cook. She is survived by her baby brother, Stephen (Paula) Taylor of Strawberry; sister-in-law, Joy Taylor of Springdale and three children, Twila Massey of Strawberry; James (Terrie) Massey of Strawberry and Pamela Cook of El Dorado. She leaves behind ten grandchildren: Tai Kirby, Centerton; Trent (Ginger) Polston, Lake Charles, LA; Thomas (Samantha) Polston, Strawberry; Terra Polston, Strawberry; Kari Ring, Cave City; Jeffery (Holly) Massey, Cookeville, TN; Blake (Jodi) Massey, Strawberry; Lori (Chris) Blevins, Lynn; Taylon (Daniel) Steele, El Dorado; Jared Cook, El Dorado, along with the great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, church family and friends, all of whom she loved dearly.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 18th at the Strawberry Church of Christ, 80 N. Main St, Strawberry, AR, beginning at 10 a.m. Visitation will follow immediately after the service. Interment will take place at Ward Cemetery off Hwy. 230 outside Strawberry, at 12:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Chris Blevins, Jared Cook, Blake Massey, Jeffery Massey, Thomas Polston, Trent Polston and Daniel Steele. Honorary pallbearers include Eddie Durham, Chad Taylor, Todd Foster, Mike Ober, Greg Taylor, Tim Taylor, Chuck Taylor, Taylor Wyatt, Brent Massey, Stayton Massey, Richard Massey, Joe Massey and Kinnie Martin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children's Home, 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, AR 72450; Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202; Ward Cemetery, c/o Bank of Cave City in Strawberry, AR or the charity of your choice.

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14 Condolence(s)
Tracey long
Smithville, AR
Liked
Monday, June 17, 2024

So sorry for your loss many memories in our school days Pam her pies were awsome many prayers for you and family!

John & Sandy Ralston
El Dorado,
Liked
Monday, June 17, 2024

So glad I got to know this sweet lady through her daughter Pam . She was and Pam is one of God’s special earth angels and oh those strawberries she would bring. Prayers are with the family!

David and Debbie Wigginton
Cave City, AR
Liked
Monday, June 17, 2024

We loved Willene and Jim. They were such precious people. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers! May God give you comfort as only He can. Your loss is heavens gain.

Suzette Calloway
Smackover, AR
Liked
Monday, June 17, 2024

Pam and family,
I am so sorry about your mom . I am keeping you in my heart and prayers.
Suzette Calloway

Luanne Boles Gregory
Batesville, AR
Liked
Monday, June 17, 2024

I have so many good memories of Willene and your whole family. I spent a few Sunday afternoons with the Masseys and enjoyed that good cooking.

Brenda DeTrana
Santa Barbara, CA
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

My heartfelt condolences for the loss of such a sweet lady and wishing her family peace and comfort in the difficult days ahead.

Joe Lindsey
Huntingdon, TN
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

Sending heartfelt condolences to the family. Just remember. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

Tracy and Robert Howard
Strawberry, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

We are so sorry for your loss. She was such a joy to be around and have the best hugs. I will miss her so much

Bobby & Denise Bratcher
Strawberry, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

Our hearts are saddened for her family at the loss of her Earthly presence. We rejoice that she has finished the race and is in the arms of Jesus. Our Zakary delighted in fixing her a snack bag for church every week. Tootsie Rolls, Smarties, Hershey mix he knew it made her happy. Of course Mr Jimmy liked it too. . We will shed tears and remember how much she has meant to our family. No dementia or wheelchairs in Heaven. Matthew 5 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall find comfort"

Clara Nell Crews
Saffell, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

She was such a sweet lady that always had a smile for all. I will continue to keep her family in my prayers.

Brendahoggardturner
Sidney, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

Prayers

Debbie Brown
Cherokee Village, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

I have known this family all my life. This just breaks my heart. Prayers for God's peace and comfort for all of you .

Larry and Dianne Sneed
Walnut Ridge,, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

our DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF Wilene Massey in their time of heartache. PRAYERS to all

Jan Burrow Qualls
Batesville, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

In my thoughts & prayers