Clifton E. Massey Sr. of Sylvania, GA suffered a major heart attack and passed away at his home on Sunday afternoon at the age of 63. Briefly, Clifton was a self-taught house painter but his love was in farming; which he did for the majority of his life. He worked some for Billy Clifton and Joe Boddiford. However, his heart was always at Wade Plantation where he worked with people he thought the world of...people like Leroy, Justin, Heath, James, Arthur, Mr. Jimmy, Al, B-Bird, Norman, Palmer, Shorty, Bill, Ms. Amy, Debra, Brigham, and many more. Some of his fondest memories, at Wade, were driving Mr. Billy Morris’ mule team during quail hunts, watching his children play in the cold waters of the “pretty hole”, searching for arrowheads with his children, or fishing with family at Burton’s Ferry, Tom’s Lake, or Hersham Lake. Clifton loved the outdoors and was at home with a fishing pole in his hand. He was adequately called the catfish assassin for a reason.
If there is one thing Clifton loved more than fishing and farming at Wade it was his children. However, I believe in all honesty he loved his grandchildren more. Clifton had 5 children and 18 grandchildren. The light of his eyes would always grow bright when he saw his grands. They were his world.
Clifton was preceded in death by his Father Dwight J Massey, mother Mildred Ward, and beloved step-father Russ Gibson. Also preceding him was his sister Juanita Parsons, his brothers in law Cecil Parsons and James “Julio” Nunnally. In addition, he has two grandsons, Clifton the 3rd and Shannon Jr, along with a sister whom he never knew Linda Lee that preceded him in death. He now plays with all three in heaven.
Survivors include his son and daughter in law, Clifton and Kelly Massey, his son and daughter in law Ronnie”Brent” and Donna Massey, his daughter and “baby girl” Kristy Massey, his son James “JR” Massey, and son and daughter in law, Reuben “Boo” and Tiffanie Massey. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren; Anastasia, Kayla, and Steiner Massey, Mattilee and Owen Massey, Joshua and Nate Mills, Gabriella, Abigale, and Jeremiah Davis, RayLynn Aaron, Liam Massey, Etanya and Brian Massey, Tanner Joyner, and Kinley Shuman. Also he is survived by his sister Doris Nunnally, brother Dwight Massey and sister in law Joette, Jerry Massey, and Tim Massey along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation: Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home Chapel with Clifton E. Massey, Jr. officiating. Burial following at Screven County Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers are: Ronnie Massey, James Massey, Reuben Massey, DJ Massey, Bryce Massey, and Brian Parrish. Honorary Pallbearers are his brothers Dwight, Jerry and Tim Massey, nephew William Barrs along with Sean Mills and Justin Chandler. We would also like to include all current and former employees of Wade Plantation.
Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. www.thompsonstricklandwaters.com
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