Eleanor McNeil Massey

Eleanor McNeil Massey, age 89, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away April 20, 2015, with peace and dignity, at the Little Creek Nursing Home, after an extended illness. She had been a member of Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church since 1950. She will be forever remembered as a wonderful, generous, nurturing and loving spouse, mother, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Eleanor was born in Madisonville, Tennessee, and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Knoxville High School in 1942, and she shared valedictory status at the tender age of 16. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she was a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity. She and Chester, her husband of 62 years, were married on July 1, 1944, at Second Presbyterian Church in Knoxville with Dr. Clifford Balbour officiating. Eleanor was a long time volunteer at Fort Sanders Presbyterian Hospital. She was an avid bridge player, world traveler, club team bowler, and bird watcher. For years, she was an enthusiastic antique dealer. She was a member of the Nine O’Clock Cotillion and Cherokee Country Club. She took great pleasure in participating in the numerous and diverse hobbies of her husband Chester and in celebrating the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Chester Americus Massey, Jr., and her parents Alexander and Mary Davis Estill McNeil. She is survived by her sister Juliette McNeil Downing of Decatur, IL; daughter Lynn Massey Vogel and her husband Howard H. Vogel of Knoxville; her son Morton Massey and his wife Becky Duncan Massey of Knoxville; her daughter Deborah Massey Blackburn and her husband Richard Blackburn of Gallatin Gateway, Montana. Grandchildren: The Reverend Caroline Carothers Vogel of Knoxville; Alex Vogel of Knoxville; Anna Kathryn Greenwood and her husband Dixon Greenwood of Knoxville; Courtney Massey Kohlhepp of Knoxville; and Kristen Massey of Austin, Texas. Great grandchildren: Aidan Brown and Shepherd Brown; Phillips Vogel and Bo Vogel; Levi Greenwood, all of of Knoxville; and Bailey Massey of Austin, Texas. The family will gather for a private graveside service Monday morning, April 27. This service will be conducted by The Reverend Dr. Bill Barron, Eleanor’s pastor for many years. For all her friends and family, a memorial service will follow, at the Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church in Knoxville at 11:00 a.m. At the memorial service, the eulogy will be given by Eleanor’s granddaughter The Reverend Caroline Carothers Vogel. Officiating at the memorial service will be The Reverend Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. The family will receive friends in Barron Hall at the church, following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, 3700 Keowee Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919; Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc., 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919; or the charity of your choice. Eleanor’s family wishes to express its appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Little Creek, who provided loving care and attention. Eleanor lived her life for her family, and they knew her as Eddie or EE.

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Eleanor McNeil Massey

November 23, 1925 - April 20, 2015