Wendel A. Massey, age 81, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024, at his home in McCool, Mississippi, with those who loved him at his side. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 in the Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ricky Bane and Bro. Mike Dowd officiating. Visitation will be at Massey Funeral Home the day of the service from 12 p.m. until service time. Interment will immediately follow the service in Rural Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Mississippi.
Wendel was born May 25, 1942, to Louis A. and Daisy Shumaker Massey in Winston County, Mississippi. He was a member of Rural Hill Methodist Church; he retired from Taylor Machine Works after 40 years of service. Wendel was a very talented craftsman—he could fix anything and he could build anything anyone wanted, whether they showed him a picture or by their description, he could “see” it in his head and design it himself. He enjoyed woodworking; he especially enjoyed making birdhouses, churches, whirligigs, and plaques, all of which he gave away. Wendel received such joy from giving to others; never charging for anything he built. He also enjoyed visiting the Smoky Mountains and built several churches from the Cades Cove area to scale. He answered the call of his country by serving in the Army National Guard.
Wendel is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Patterson Massey; and his daughter, Cathy (Dan) McCool all of McCool, Mississippi. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Coats of Louisville. Wendel was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Sammy Charles “Odie” Massey.
Serving as pallbearers are Murry Lee Black, Michael Collins, Kenny Edwards, Danny Mills, David Patterson, Pete Steed, and Ricky Steed. Memorials may be given to Rural Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Allen Watts, 675 Sturgis Road, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
