Glenalice. Mrs. Terry Massie. Coonie. Alice. But her favorite name was Mamaw. She was born and raised in Coeburn, Virginia and in June of 1963 graduated from Coeburn High School. On November 1, 1963 Alice married her high school sweetheart Terry Lee Massie, a love story that lasted six decades. Terry and Alice moved to Kingsport, Tennessee and for a brief time Alice worked at the Kingsport Press, but this endeavor was short lived. Alice went on to dedicate her time to her true calling of wife and mother.
With three boys, Chris, Kevin, and Tracy, the Massie household was a flurry of activity and adventure. Bicycles in the driveway, the pounding of basketballs on the side of the house, and the ever-familiar sound of the refrigerator door repeatedly being opened and closed, “Aw –” Alice would say, “listen to them boys. Terry don’t like that ball against the house.” With a slight smile and nod she would continue, “You know they are having a good time.” Chaos. Alice was the dependable force of calming presence. Throughout the chaos she so enjoyed.
True joy came to the Massie household with the arrival of the grandchildren: Katie, David, Adalyn, Jay Byrd, and Sweet Caroline. Alice’s grandchildren had her undivided attention. Even Terry had to get his own cup of coffee when the grandbabies were around. Alice and Terry were a team. In tandem, they would take the grandkids to Wet Lands, Dollywood, the beach, ball games, and adventures only imagination can bring. In your mind’s eye, you can hear Alice say, “Terry, run down there and get Jay a hotdog.” “Terry, run down there and get Adalyn that doll, you know the one she saw at the Dollar General two or three days ago… get Caroline one too.” “Look here,” digging through the pocketbook that never left her side, pulling out snacks and candies, whispering “take this, go over there and don’t let your mama know that I gave that to you.” Alice was the instigator and Terry was the follow through.
As the grandkids grew and life evolved, playdates turned into phone calls and sporadic visits. Nothing delighted Alice more than chit-chatting with her grandkids. Conversations that were much to do about nothing... but meant everything. Strengthening the Mamaw bond that she cleverly nurtured throughout her life from the moment they were born. Katie, David, Adalyn, Jay Byrd, and Sweet Caroline each carry their own special part of Alice in their hearts that will shape their lives and bring them comfort. The Massie family takes solace and rejoices that Alice and Terry are together forever with the Lord.
Alice was preceded in death by her loving husband Terry Lee Massie and her parents Alpha Mae Hylton Horne and Glen Horne.
Alice is survived by her brother Charles Leon Fields, sister-in-law Bonnie; her three sons, Chris, Kevin, Tracy, and their loving wives, Jenni, Misty, and Libby; her six grandchildren, Katie married to Josh Watkins, David, Matthew Hubbard, Adalyn, Jay Byrd, and Sweet Caroline; her beloved lifelong friends, Regenia Bishop and Jon Lane; numerous cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held on February 3, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, located at 4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, Tennessee, 37664.
The funeral service will follow on the same day at the same venue from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
The committal service will take place at East Tennessee Cemetery, Mausoleum, located at 2630 Highway 75, Blountville, Tennessee, 37617, starting at 3:00 pm on February 3, 2026.
