The funeral service for Carol L. Massengill will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 400 Magee Drive, in Brookhaven at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27th with visitation at the church from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Mrs. Massengill, who died on June 23rd in Brookhaven, is survived by her husband, Bob, the love of her life for almost 60 years. She was the proud mother of Karen M. Hickman (and husband, Andrew) and Robb Massengill (and wife, Fran), and grandmother of six grandchildren, who loved her as “Dadool”: Hannah Hickman Halliwell (and husband, Zach), Will Hickman (and wife Sara), and Heath Hickman (and wife, Maddie), and Maggie M. Andrews (and husband, Carter), Gracey and Robert Massengill. She was the proud great-grandmother of Witt Halliwell. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Carol was a native of Upper Darby, PA, but called Brookhaven her home since her marriage to Bob in 1964. After completing Upper Darby High School she graduated from Millersville State University, located near Lancaster, PA, with a degree in Elementary Education. While at Millersville, she played basketball and was a member of the Homecoming Court. She taught elementary grades in Pennsylvania and at Brookhaven Elementary School. She was largely responsible for Art being added to the curriculum in the Brookhaven Public School System. She later taught 5-year-old kindergarten at Faith Presbyterian Church and loved sharing her Lord and Savior with the children she taught. Seeing these students become Godly adults was one of the great joys of her life.
Mrs. Massengill was a former member of the Mothers Club and the Climbers Club and served as an active leader of Girls Scouts. “Mrs.Carol,” as she was known to her scouts, had gained her love for scouting as a child and young lady as had worked most of her high school years in order to earn the funds needed to go to Europe for the entire summer of 1958 with the Girl Scouts after completing high school.
She was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church, where she served as President of the Women in the Church, taught children’s Sunday School for many years, was an active member of the choir, taught Vacation Bible School, and was a member of several teams, including the Missions Team. One of her favorite memories was teaching a group of ladies John Bunyan’s Classic “Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Along with her husband, Mrs. Massengill took numerous mission trips to countries such as Belize, Mexico, Malawi, Ukriane, and Kyrgystan. She had the gift of hospitality and shared the love of her Lord by hosting visiting missionaries on numerous occasions. For many years Mrs. Massengill graciously hosted a small group Bible study on Sunday evenings at her home.
In addition to mission trips, Carol loved traveling with Bob, and they took many interesting and informative trips to Europe. She always loved traveling anywhere with family. She thoroughly enjoyed attending the various activities of her grandchildren, loved to cheer for the Ole Miss football and baseball teams, had a green thumb (especially with African Violets), played an excellent game of tennis in years past, and enjoyed playing golf with family. In years past she greatly enjoyed playing bridge with friends. One of her greatest dislikes was her cell phone, as it never seemed to be able to find her!
In years past Carol loved studying God’s Word and had the desire to see the love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shared with others throughout the world. One of her favorite Bible verses was Psalm 118:4, which says, “This is the day the Lord made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it” and one of her favorite hymns was “Jesus Loves Me.”
The family would like to express special thanks to Jaci King and the compassionate staff at HaloHavens, to those at Dignity Hospice, to her special friend and caregiver Maggie Thompson, and to all of those who have been praying for Carol and the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made payable to the Mission Fund, Faith Presbyterian Church, PO Box 5090, Brookhaven, MS 39603 or to Faith Presbyterian Kindergarten at the same address.
