Thanking of you today mom.  See you in the funny papers ....

I remember mom today and everyday miss you 😔

Michael Reid Massey and lynell Upchurch Massey 

Me and Mom don't remember the year probably early '70s when we lived on anger avenue

Me and Mom November 2021 at k&w cafeteria

Picture of Mom with the sister missionaries that were visiting mom had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I know she is visiting her friends and relatives who are passed to the other side of the veil

At my baptism the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints

We went on a mystery tour on our beach trip in 1994.
Grandma and Pops were able to go with us.


My next-door neighbor Maria. Grandma and Maria’s birthdays are on the same day. June 1994 

Two days before I gave birth to Michael Reid. September 1988. 
She made everything fun. 


Grandma would drive Michael Reid around in the wheelbarrow. He would laugh so hard. She got in there with him this time. (1990) 

Halloween 1991. She made everything fun!



Grandma at Pullen Park the summer of 1991. Michael Reid and Dalton. 


I met Nell right after my 15th birthday. I used to call her Nell, but once I had children, I always called her Grandma or Gma.  Both Grandma and Pops (Bobby) are like my parents. I love them with all my heart. Words cannot adequately express how much I miss her. I would talk to her every day, sometimes multiple times a day.
Grandma has been such a big part of my life. There are so many fond memories. I never really felt like she was an in-law. My mom died in her late forties, and Gma has been like a mom to me. She and Pops were at the hospital when I had my first son Michael Reid Massey Jr. They have been such a huge part of my life. 
Since Pops is not technically savvy, I will post a comment he said about her recently. He said everything around him at the house reminds him of her. He misses her so. They were married for over 60 years. Please keep him in your prayers. 
I am thankful for the gospel and knowing we can be together again. What a blessing it is to know this. 

This is for Grandma:
Dear Grandma, though you are no longer with us physically, your love, kindness, and strength continue to inspire us every day. Your memory lives on through the many lives you touched, the happy moments we shared, and the lessons you taught us. We will forever cherish the time we had with you and keep you close in our hearts. Know that you are loved and missed dearly. 
Liz 

Birthday memories! Lynell loved to celebrate birthdays. We always played our little "happy birthday" music box at each birthday since the 1990s. Nice tradition.

Always fun eating out at the Olive Garden for birthdays and other special occasions!


From left to right Iva Upchurch, lynell Upchurch, Carolyn Upchurch, Jean Upchurch 

Childhood memories mom on the right her sister Carolyn on the left

Loved eating out and spending time with Mom and Dad here we are at the Olive garden

The days of gathering at Cary town center. The good days looking back now. At the time I didn’t appreciate it but I couldn’t stand sitting in the food court what seemed like 8 hours. But I wish I could go back now and just sit with her and pops and just talk about life. 

Grandma was a special lady. I will always remember her playing with us “grandchildren”. I’ll never forget the time she would sit in the clover field with me and make bracelets out of the clover flowers. I’ll never forget her teaching my to swing at the park across the street from there house. I’ll never forget how silly she was, how funny she was. She could always make me laugh growing up. Now I will sit with my son in clover fields and make bracelets, be silly, make him laugh, swing like my grandma showed me, laugh together. Do all the things she did with me. We will always remember you, we love you to the moon and back. 

She worked in the Mayflower and her boss  Pete here shown in the photo above

They are strong members of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints they have testimony that Jesus is the Christ

Mom was an entertainer and love to laugh and make people laugh at work they call her the roadrunner

My second poem to Aunt Nell:

My Aunt Nell (2023)

There’s a story to tell
About my Aunt Nell
She ran through the Mayflower 
Like a gazelle.
That’s what she’s known for
But there’s oh so much more
To tell about her
There are stories galore.

She grew up on Swain St.
She hadn’t a care
Running up and down the concrete
(I’m sure her feet were bare)
She played baseball with friends
She drank Pepsi's for fun
She was happiest of all
Outside in the sun.

She met a young man
Who caught her eye good
His name was Bobby
And he lived in her ‘hood.
Was it love at first sight?
No matter about that
It was a match made in heaven,
They married in no time flat!
These two stuck together 
Through thick and thin
If you didn’t know better
You’d think they were twins.
They had a fine son,
And sweet daughter-in-law,
They made ‘em some grand kids
Best you ever saw,

Aunt Nell has a love
For working with folks
She can cut up with people
Of all different strokes.
She’s served up some food
More than anyone can tell,
That’s just the way she rolls
My Aunt Nell.

What fun we have had
Over all these years
I'll not spend much time
On sadness and tears
I'll think of Aunt Nell
And all of her ways
And know that I have an Aunt
I can love always.

Love eternal,
 Kim

I wrote a poem years ago for my dear Aunt Nell, which she loved and kept in a frame in her living room. About  a month ago I wrote another one and was able to read it to her a few times. She liked both and thought they sounded just liker her:

To Aunt Nell (2002)

Aunt Nell's a card
and it's not hard
to see for yourself
but be on your guard --

She'll "pidgie pidgie"
and "Winnie the Pooh,"
She'll hike up her skirt
and do a jig, too!

She's got a soft side 
she may let you see
She'll tear up for a moment 
and then say "tee hee."

She's a wild as a buck
and tough as one too,
But sweet as a rose,
that always is true.

She says what she thinks
and knows it's alright
To let herself go
 and fly like a kite.

A lady of pearls,
bright colors she wears,
She shows and lets go 
of all of her cares.

She laughs and she cries,
she changes her mood,
and then sticks her fork
in somebody's food!

Aunt Nell is so sweet,
Aunt Nell is so nice,
She is an aunt without a price!

-Love, Kim















Lynell Massey was a loving and kind sister. I have wonderful memories of Nell and I laughing, playing, attending school, dating, marrying, and enjoying life. It was a blessing to have lived our entire lives in the same town so we could share so much time together.  I will never forget the many meals shared at different restaurants and the Christmas functions at my church.  Time spent talking on the telephone will always be important to me. Nell is greatly missed and very much loved. 

My grandmother gave me several wonderful gifts in the form of "Aunts" - my father's sisters.  Lynell Massey is one of those wonderful gifts.  She is the perfect example of a Southern Strong Lady. Her laugh, infectious; her personality, funny and outrageous; her life, a great success at serving others. I know if she had been in Hollywood, while growing up, she would have been a fabulous star, very much like Carol Burnett. I hope she knows how much she was loved and appreciated in life and now in memory. 

My parents and I are so saddened by the loss of Sister Lynelle Massey, she was such a beloved sister and member of the Raleigh 4th Ward,  loved her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints too, a beautiful daughter of God, a great and loving friend. Was an avid Temple goer. My parents and I have many many fond memories of her. I remember the smile on her face as I would come into the chapel at the Knightdale Building when she would hand out the church bulletin. I’ll miss the many wonderful conversations we had, my mom, Sister Evans and I eating at the Mayflower and seeing Sister Massey at church functions. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brother Bobby Massey and Family. We will always treasure you Sister Massey in our hearts. God speed and May you Rest In Peace. We love ❤️ you.

OBITUARY

Lynell Upchurch Massey

June 23, 1938 – April 19, 2023

Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park

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