Mary Russell Massey

Mary was born in Wilmington, N.C., on September 6, 1925, to Benjamin S. Russell and Lottie Howard Russell. In 1933, she and her younger sister moved into the care of Thompson Orphanage in Charlotte, while their mother recovered from an extended illness.

She attended Central High School (where she was known as “Pinkie”) and Carolina Business School of Charlotte. After graduation, Mary worked in the accounting department of Biggers Brothers.

She married Edward Banks Massey, who served in the Army during World War II. Mary and seven other military wives started a bridge club while their husbands were away. The club lasted more than 50 years, and Mary was the last surviving member of the original group.

She was a devoted wife and a loving mother to her four children. She worked alongside her husband at Banks Massey Grading Company for many years, and the couple retired to Lake Norman in 1987. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage, until Banks’ death in 2002. She delighted in her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Mary was a member of Commonwealth/Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church for more than 70 years. She served Christ and His church with faithfulness and joy. She delivered Friendship Trays for over 25 years. Mary was kind and gentle, and she had a peaceful spirit.

Her family gives thanks for a century of God’s faithfulness to their beloved mother, and for how much He blessed them through her.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Banks Massey; brother, Howard Russell, sisters Jean Damm and Martha Angerman, son-in-law Bobby Collins, grandson Joseph Mauldin, and three great grandsons: Stephen Beard, and Peyton and Austin Collins. 

Mary is survived by her daughters, Carole Beard, Anne Mauldin (John), Gaye Collins Tucker (Jim) and son Eddie Massey (Vickie). She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Michael Kelly (Sylvia), Catherine Whitley (Mike), Arnie Mauldin, Roderick Beard (Julie), Elizabeth Gibson (Ricky), Russell Beard (Esther), Joseph Collins (Carrie), Matthew Collins (Melissa), Taylor Hagadorn (Sean), and Banks Massey III (Catherine).

Twenty-seven great grandchildren: Olivia, Jacob and Noah Beard, Lacee Baucom (Caleb), Hunter Gibson, Julia, Katie and Lauren Beard, David (Kenadi), Joseph, and Catherine Whitley, Katrina Holt (Thayer), Samuel Mauldin, Rob, Hank, Caroline and Grace Collins, Wright and Chloe Collins, Bennett and Evelyn Spivey, Hayden, Riley and Cole Hagadorn, Emmett, Remy and Logan Massey.  And three great- great granddaughters:  Elisha and Ember Whitley, Emma Holt.

Mary is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including Marianne Alexander (Mark), who came to live near her Aunt Mary as a teenager.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service. Interment will be at Sharon Memorial Park.