Lela Ennis Massey

Raleigh - After months of declining health, Lela Ennis Massey died peacefully at home with her family on February 14, 2017, at the age of 87.  She is now in heaven with her Lord.  Lela was born in Wake County on February 23, 1929, to the late Ervin Ennis and Allie (Bowling) Ennis.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Joseph Andrew Massey, her granddaughter, Jennifer M. Poole, her brothers Luke, Edward, and Tommy Ennis, and her treasured sister, Elizabeth Stell. Growing up in post-Depression era was many times an uphill struggle for Lela’s family.  However, she never spoke of these experiences with complaint or regret. She appreciated the love of her family, and learned to never take anything for granted.  At an early age, she learned value of hard work, honesty, and integrity, and passed these values to each of her children.  After her youngest child entered school, Lela began working at Lufkin Tools in Apex, a job she immensely enjoyed.  She valued the many friendships she made while working there for 20 years.  She was a member of Carolina Pines Baptist Church for over 60 years and attended faithfully, even as her health declined.  She was always eager to support the missions of her church and enjoyed getting hugs from her church family on Sundays. Lela’s sweetheart for the past ten years was Duke, her adoring Yorkie, who gave her unconditional love and lots of enthusiastic kisses.  She spent many pleasurable hours with Duke sitting in her lap while she watched old Westerns starring Gene Autry, John Wayne, and other favorite cowboys.  She was also an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and for many years kept statistics for every game.  Some of her favorite pastimes were canning vegetables, playing cards, and flower gardening, evidenced by her yard of beautiful azaleas, daylilies, roses, perennials and annuals.   Lela loved country and bluegrass music, and especially attending bluegrass festivals with her best friend Sadie McLeod. Christmas was the time of year Lela looked most forward to.  Her exceptional  collection of Christmas decorations would light up the neighborhood as well as everyone’s Christmas spirit.  She would be proud to tell you that she won several neighborhood blue ribbons as well as an honorable mention in a radio contest.  It was her family’s custom every Christmas Eve to crowd into her small home of 64 years to eat, reminisce, open gifts, and enjoy her homemade boiled custard.  No one dared to miss this special time of the year at Grandma’s house. Lela is survived by her five children, Janie Sweat (Larry) of Clayton, Robert Massey (Lori) of Wendell, Carolyn Poole (Jimmie) of Wake Forest, Ken Massey (Nancy) of Willow Spring, and Joyce Cochran (Mark) of Raleigh, NC.  She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Dianne Wallace (Jon), Melonie Trice (Chris), Brenna Stephenson (Loyd), Amy Wilkes (Jordan), Beverly Webb, Derrick Massey, Kasey Minear (Justin), Sarah Perry (Nick), Kyle Cochran (Caitlyn), Christopher Snider (Molly), and by twelve great-grandchildren, Hannah and Joshua Wallace, Samantha and Colby Trice, Kelsey Slanaker, Cora and Reid Wilkes, Blake Stephenson, Bella Webb, Serena Massey, Jack and Abby Snider.  Lela loved and was especially fond of her nephew, Wayne Stell. We wish to thank Lela’s caregivers, Joyce Blackmon, Brookie Jones, and Deborah Ekoue, for their patience, kindness and gentle care. A funeral service celebrating Mrs. Massey’s life will be held at Carolina Pines Baptist Church, 2655 S. Saunders Street, Raleigh, NC, at 1 o’clock on February 16, 2017.  Visitation will take place from 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM, prior to the service in the church sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carolina Pines Baptist Church, 2655 S. Saunders Street, Raleigh, NC  27603, or the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Way, Raleigh, NC  27603. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7