Vesta Imogene Massey Rye

\Vesta Imogene Massey Rye, 91, of Russellville, died Monday, December 19, 2011, at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. She was born on October 30, 1920, to Perry Richard and Laura Ellen Andrews Massey in the Robertsville Community in Conway County. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Rev. A.C. Rye, a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Donald and Shelia Rye, a brother and three sisters. Survivors include three sons, Glen (Louise) of Russellville, Alton (Anne) of Bedford, Texas, and Dr. Charles (Dr. Ann) of Little Rock; a daughter, Wanda (Rev. Bob) Perry of Little Rock; six grandsons and four granddaughters, Alan (Julian) Perry of Maumelle, Dr. Hays (Dr. Chavella) Rye of College Station, Texas, Eric (Anne) Rye of Tallahassee, FL, Joey King (fiancée Kasey) of Chicago, Ill., Andrew (Jill) Rye of Naperville, Ill., David (Beth) Rye of Farmington, Dr. Carrie Rye of Fayetteville, Melissa Rye of Denver, Colo., Tonia (Leo) Smith of Fayetteville, and Ashley (Jeff) Hickman of Owasso, Okla.; six great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters, Sidney Perry, Burkemon Rye Banks, Hayden, Henry, Evan, and Charles Rye, Peri and Peyton Hickman, Molly Cate Rye, and Janna Perry-Holloway. Rev. and Mrs. Rye served together in ministry and pastored a number of Assemblies of God churches throughout Arkansas. She was an active member of the London Assembly of God and a retired employee of the Russellville Public School District. She was known for her love of gospel music (a passion that she passed on to her children) and sang in many churches throughout her lifetime. She was an avid gardener and had a talent for cooking and preserving delicious food. Her nurturing ways endeared her to many people, and she will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2011, at the First Assembly of God with entombment in the Rest Haven Memorial Park mausoleum, by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Active pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, from 5-7 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the London Assembly of God, 55 Old Wire Road-E, London, AR 72847, or to the National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road, Miami, Fla. 33136-1494. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Robert Thurlby, the nurses and staff of Stella Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center, and the Pope County Area Agency on Aging, especially the compassionate and loving care of Dorothy McCuin. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.