Grace Massey

ASHEVILLE, NC / BLACKSBURG, VA – Grace Massey, age 101, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Blacksburg, VA.

Ms. Massey was born on April 2, 1924, in Walnut, Madison County, NC and was a resident of Asheville for most of her life. She worked for the upscale clothier Hadley’s in downtown Asheville. Grace was a doll collector, gathering Madame Alexander and other collectable dolls from thrift stores and flea markets. She enjoyed restoring them to good condition and made them new clothes by hand. She also made dolls that were sold at artisan markets known as “time-out” dolls that stood in the corner as if being punished. Grace had a green thumb and grew many gardens over the years and canned Western NC greasy green beans every year. She loved flowers of all varieties. She was a perfectionist in all she did.

Grace was the daughter of the late David and Eliza Jane Cooper Massey. Also preceding her in death are a daughter, Patsy Jane Massey Keck; and siblings, Hattie, Mary, Allie, Carrie, Nellie, Wylie, Stanley, Jake, Robert, Jeter and an infant. Grace was the youngest of all eleven children.

Surviving are her nieces, nephews and her granddaughter, Sherry Penland-Ismatov and husband Bakhodir; and great- grandchildren, Ilyos Ismatov and Samira Grace Ismatov; and her son-in-law, Thomas S. Keck and his siblings, children, and grandchildren.

Ms. Massey was laid to rest next to her family in Mountain View Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, with Reverend Anthony Fox officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mountain View FWB Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Ms. Becky Ponder, 15 Harbeck Drive, Weaverville, NC 28787.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Ms. Massey’s family. Condolences may be offered to the family under her obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.