Obituary: Wanda Juanita Freeman Massey

Wanda Juanita Freeman Massey, age 91, of Oak Ridge, passed away Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, at the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home in Knoxville.

She was born April 9, 1922, in Van Lear, Ky., the daughter of William and Goldie Chandler Hawley.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lillian Scott; brothers, Willis, Charles, and James Hawley; stepsons, Malcolm and Harold Massey; and husbands, Ernest Freeman and Charles Fairbanks Massey.

Her first husband, Ernest Freeman, passed away in 1955. After his death, she enrolled in nursing school and graduated from Fulton Vocational Tech in Knoxville. She retired in 1986 from Oak Ridge Hospital, where she worked for 27 years as a licensed practical nurse. She was the recipient of the very first Employee of the Year Award at the hospital. She also served for many years as a volunteer with the Methodist Medical Center Volunteer Organization.

In 1958, she married her second husband, Charles Fairbanks Massey. He passed away March 23, 1985.

Mrs. Massey was a longtime member of the New Life Church of the Nazarene. Her church was very important to her and a vital part of her life. For many years, she served as co-coordinator of Mission Books.

She is survived by daughters, Regina (Larry) Miller and Brenda (Carl “Bud”) Reiordan; stepdaughter, Sybil (Stowe) Lenderman; grandchildren, Laura (Chad) Connolly, Walt (Daisy) Miller, and Bill (Kim) Reiordan and Bryan Reiordan; step-grandchildren, Mike (Laura) Massey, Steve (Carmen) Massey, Jan Murphy, Cheryl (David) Van Meter, and Gary (Karen) Lenderman and Alan (Sherry) Lenderman; great-grandchildren, Carrington Connolly, Danielle Miller, Darla Miller, Will Reiordan, Carlin Reiordan, Jacoby Reiordan, and Ashley Lenderman and Seth Lenderman; dear sister, Irene Conley; and special friends, Nonavea Rodgers, Sheila Morgan, Dorothy Martin, and Connie Wilson.

The family expresses their appreciation for the excellent care of their mother by Dorothy Lewis and the staff of Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home.

The family received friends on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at New Life Church of the Nazarene. The funeral followed at 7:30 with Rev. Keith Robinson officiating. Family and friends will meet on Friday at 10 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood for a graveside service.

The family asks that any memorials be made to New Life Church of the Nazarene or to Ben Atchley TN State Veterans Home in her memory.

Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.