Margaret Melville Massey

Margaret Melville Massey, age 86, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2022. Born Margaret Ann Evans on January 25, 1936, at Lonoke, she was a daughter of the late Marvin Evans and Allie Mae Peters Evans. When Margaret was 16, her mother died from cancer, long before there was hospice care. She was the hospice caregiver, beginning the great losses in her life and strength from God. At the age of 19, Margaret married Cecil Eugene "Gene" Melville from Little Rock on January 21, 1956, at Lonoke. They had two children, Allison Marie Melville Horne (Tracy) and the late Russell Eugene "Rusty" Melville. She was the best "Grammy" anyone could ask for to her grandchildren, Hayden Eugene Melville (age 21), Christopher Samuel Horne, and Conner Melville Horne (both age 16). Gene died at the young age of 49 in 1979, and Margaret (then age 42) remained strong to raise her two children. After being a stay-at-home mother, she attended training in Houston by herself, and was eventually a co-owner and manager of Kwik Kopy Printing. The business helped create a lifelong friendship with Marilyn and H. J. Roberts. Margaret and Marilyn became as close as sisters, and their bond only became stronger through the years. Another huge loss occurred in 2010 with the death of her son, "Rusty". Once again, God brought the right people into her family's lives at just the right time. Doug and Kim Scott adopted Hayden as well as his whole family. This allowed Hayden to stay and finish school with his friends. Thanks to the Scott family, Hayden has become an outstanding young man. They gave him the love and home life that allowed his brain and big heart to grow and become the person which made his family (as would have his father) very proud. She had a brother, James Evans (now deceased), who gave her the honor of being a loving aunt to Colleen Evans Benthol (Arnis) and John Robert Evans (Mona) and their children, Evan, Jay, and Whitney, (as well as their four children). Margaret was both fortunate and grateful to find love again with Joseph Owen Massey, Jr., and they married in 1999. This gave her blessings to be loved and taken care of. She became mother and Grammy to many more people. Joe's children, Kim Massey, Mike Massey (Heidi), Becky Massey Parks, and Becky Hampton (R.D.), along with more grandchildren who loved her dearly. Joe died September 13, 2022, and Margaret died of a broken heart two months later. Her family is at peace knowing that she is at peace. God is so great, and our First Baptist Church family has always been our strength. Margaret's visitation will be Saturday, November 12, 2022, beginning at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Her funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Brother Ken Thornton officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 6501 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603. For online condolences, please visit www.RalphRobinsonandSon.com