Cory Martin Massey

Reverend Cory Martin Massey, with a heart full of peace and joy, embraced the loving arms of Jesus as he was gently led into eternity. His journey was marked by serenity, guided by the faith and love that had always been his compass. As of Thursday, August 15, 2024, Cory rests in the eternal light, where love and peace reign forever.

Rev. Massey's transition was a moment of profound love and deep connection. With his soulmate of forty-six (46) years (Fran) tenderly by the bedside and his beloved goddaughter, Kayla, softly present in the background, he peacefully crossed over from his home in Clemson, SC. His final moments were a testament to a life filled with unwavering love and enduring bonds. Rev. Massey fixed his eyes on the ultimate prize and, with immense determination, crossed the finished line of his earthly race. His journey was one of purpose and resolve, and in his final moments, he claimed the victory he had been striving for all his life. Now, Rev. Massey stands triumphant, his spirit soaring into immortality …”I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2Timothy 4:7.

Rev. Massey made his entrance into this world on March 31, 1951, a precious gift lovingly presented to his parents, the late Ernest and Donnie Banks Massey. His modest upbringing, shaped by the nurturing embrace of the church, instilled in Rev. Massey a deep sense of humility and grounded him in faith. Despite life’s challenges, these early lessons of resilience and devotion became the bedrock of his character, guiding him through every step of his journey.

Rev. Massey made history when he enrolled at Daniel High School, stepping into the unknown as the first Black male during the turbulent onset of desegregation. Though he seldom spoke of the pain and hardships of those days, the memories were etched in his heart. When he did open up, he would recall John McKenzie, the one who saw beyond the color of his skin and the poverty that marked his life. John was the one who stood by him, refusing to join in the cruelty, offering kindness instead of scorn. In a world that tried to break him, that friendship became a beacon of hope. [His late sister Eugenia Massey (Geany Masai - actress name) was one of the two first Black females at Daniel.] Rev Massey played football at Daniel starting on the junior varsity team. Rev Massey would say, “l was the first black to make a touchdown on that field”; then chuckle and say, “as a JV team player”. Later in his days at Daniel, he was shown great love. His letterman jacket was destroyed when his family lost everything in a house fire. His teammates came together to replace his jacket.

After high school, Rev Massey attended Tri-County Technical College where he studied Electronics. He used this trade to assist in wiring many homes at Keowee Keys and the old Badcock Furniture Store in Seneca. Family and friends also pulled on Rev. Massey's generosity.

In 1970 Rev. Massey was approached and asked to come by the Clemson Police Department. It rattled him, wondering what am I being accused of. He was assured that he had done nothing wrong. From that meeting Rev. Massey became the first Black officer with the City of Clemson Police Department at the age of 19. He later went to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) and worked his way up to Sergeant. His first road partner was Robert Griffin. He and Rev. Massey kept in touch by text and calls. Rev. Massey was an encourager in Robert’s life always seeing the best in him. It was also during his time with the PCSD that he met Harold Porter. They worked closely and became true brothers … only by death has the bond been broken. We have heard the stories of their marathon conversation where they talked non-stop from 9pm to after 9am the next morning. Fran would get out of bed periodically to ensure Rev. Massey was awake. The world has never known two men having so much to talk, cry, and laugh about. Harold had asked Rev. Massey to preach his funeral should he go first from the cancer battle. Rev. Massey, not knowing his fate, wrote the speech for his brother about three months ago so Carol (Harold’s daughter) would have it when the death angel calls. Rev. Massey also joined the Prison Ministry of Pickens County. He went to the prison serving under Pastor Joe Moss to deliver a word, a song or a meal. For his work, the church was presented a plaque.

Rev. Massey had several jobs after law enforcement, but one led him to meeting his soulmate, his life partner. Janete Hunter and Rev. Massey worked together at Jacobs Chuck. She set him up on a blind date with her sister Fran in 1978. They went to see the Manhattans in concert with the Commodores. Five (5) months later, they eloped and truly became one… Rev. Massey and Fran Massey til death… forty-six (46) years of an endless love.

Rev. Massey rededicated his life to the work of the Lord and became a devoted member of St. Matthew Baptist Church, Westminster SC. He was passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with others. A loyal servant dedicated to playing music, loving and feeding others, and building a community wherever he went. Although content with being a choir member and doing physical labor around the church, the call on his life sounded louder and louder. He preached his initial sermon in 1987, “Consider Your Ways”, at St. Peter Apostolic Missionary Baptist with Rev. William Cureton. He was later called by Rev. E. Haynes to pastor a Presbyterian church in Anderson SC temporarily for three (3) years. After providing the requested service, Rev. Massey returned to St. Matthew where he was elected Assistant Pastor under the mentorship of God and Pastor Patricia C Grant. He also served as Sunday School Superintendent, Brotherhood liaison, and Director of Youth Education (with Fran). Working with the youth was a joy! They intertwined it with the ministry they founded in 1997, the Keeper’s Inn for Developing and Directing Sheep (KIDDS) Ministries. It was/is a help ministry that has fed thousands, clothed hundreds, and furnished the homes of many with furniture and appliances. He annually took the youth to WinterFest in Gatlinburg, summer trips to Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia at no expense to the church. KIDDS prepared breakfast every Sunday and saw that there was an explosive Vacation Bible School and a revolutionary Youth Revival each summer.

Rev. Massey bought a 5 ton dump trailer in order to haul more food from the fields that were gleaned. He would drive to Rawl Farms in Pelion, SC with a group many times to glean corn and bring back a dump trailer load to distribute. He would drive to the Rawl Farms in Lexington SC to gather summer squash and zucchini. Rev. Massey would drive the gleaners to Callahan Orchards for peaches and strawberries… and to Chattooga Belle Farms for apples, and to the Vineyards at The Cliffs for muscadines. Though Rev. Massey delivered to many agencies and families, he kept home, Dot’s Kitchen in Westminster, close to heart. Always calling Mr. Kinard/Mr. Truman for first choice of goods. Even in his sickness, Rev. Massey rode with Fran to pickup and deliver most times. He never wanted to stop helping people… and never complained of the personal expense to accomplish any of the above. Rev. Massey (and Fran) received several Service to Mankind Awards from Sertoma International for their significant and meritorious service. Some of their activities were noted in newspapers and on WYFF News 4.

Rev. Massey had several hobbies/activities. He loved to drive… in addition to the ministry drives, he drove 18 wheelers as far as California packing up and moving families’ belongings. He was a driver for Coach Charter, Greenville SC for years on weekends. Upon retiring from Clemson University in 2006 as Director of Staff Development Training for Housing, he took on more trips with Coach Charter. He was driver for the Sensational Southern Echoes, a gospel singing group, Belton, SC. And he was Fran’s personal chauffeur to gatherings with her Winthrop University Golden Girls. Those golden girls (Phyllis, Jill, Janice, Shirley) became Rev. Massey's sisters.

Rev. Massey enjoyed shopping more than Fran. His godson Brian Mulwee would occasionally carry him for a doctor’s visit or to drop off a piece of equipment for repair. They would be gone the entire day going from one store to another…until Fran would call to ensure all was well. Rev. Massey would always thank his bonus sister Lannie Grant for sharing her son.

Music was another love especially his bass guitar. He was overjoyed when he once got to play with his cousins (the Crooks) on the House of Prayer for All People Band. It was said that, “Rev. Cory Martin Massey gained his wings Thursday morning, and immediately signed up for bass player position with the heavenly choir.”

He enjoyed family… It was a blessing when he postponed a surgery to spend a week with his closest biological living relative, a niece in Maryland, Dr. Johari Makeba Massey (Earl). She continued to spoil him with gifts after his return home. He cherished spiritual support - books to read, CD’s to play, and private conversations with Ch. Deacon Bobby Hunter; spent quality time in the home of a recently found second cousin, Rev. James Massey (Lady Jaye), Piedmont SC; tinkered around with Brother Samuel whether building a room, trimming limbs, changing batteries in cameras…any opportunity for conversation; the times nephew Marcos stopped working on lawn care just to sit on the patio, have a sandwich/drink and talk with Uncle C; and the afternoons spent teaching godson Darryl Jr. how to change a tire and brake shoes, how to use a yard blower and how to operate a riding lawn mower.

Rev. Massey was also fond of golf. In addition to watching it on TV, when his health was good he traveled to many courses throughout SC and other states to play a round of golf. Some thought playing golf was expensive, but it was pennies to his hobby of building trucks, trailers, and tankers from kits. The thousands of pieces to paint and assemble was tedious work. And of course, the lights, sounds and whistles were a must. Imani, a self-appointed daughter, would stop by occasionally. They had a great time racing trucks up and down the street. Fran once commented that he had spent enough on this hobby to buy her a ‘real’ truck. Now, Rev. Massey did not like gardening, but he did enjoy sitting on the patio watching Fran’s every move as she worked it. He loved that lady!

With all of Rev. Massey's work and hobbies, none were more fulfilling than his work for the Lord. Fran, his furry baby (Sadie) and his godchildren had to take back burner when duty called. Speaking of godchildren, he said he had thirty-four (34). Since then, three (3) has been added… goddaughter Kendra Christian, a nursing student at Tri-County Technical College, godson Jim Carling, a retired and accomplished business coach, and grand goddaughter Little Ms. Noa Brielle Hunter born May 20, 2024 who was able to visit him once.

Rev. Massey was predeceased by his four grandparents, parents, sister, and godchildren.

He left behind his “once, twice, three times a lady”; his committed, unshakable, and unwavering wife who saw him as the H in her H₂O; daddy’s girl Sadie; faithful niece: Dr. Johari Makeba Massey (Earl); loving brother of his journey: Harold Porter; dedicated chosen brothers and sisters in unity: Samuel Cleveland, Travis Cleveland (Kathy), Darryl Cleveland, Pastor Patricia Grant (Bruce), Rev. Janete Hunter (Bobby) all of Seneca SC and Dr. Elder Jacqueline Davis-Gines (Marlin) Ooltewah, Tennessee; devoted bonus sisters: Vivian Watson and Lannie Grant; bonus brothers: Hosea Cleveland and Timothy Cleveland of Seneca SC; a caring aunt in bond: Virginia Carter, West Union SC and an uncle in bond: Henry Cleveland, Westminster SC.

Rev. Massey's life was a radiant reminder to cherish those we love deeply, to embrace each day with a positive heart, and to find pure joy in the simple, everyday moments, live with a positive outlook. Above all, his legacy urges us to Trust in God, holding onto faith as the anchor that guides us through life’s journey.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Seneca Chapel is serving the Massey family.