Mrs. Johanna J. Massey

MASSEY, Mrs. Johanna J. - Age 53, passed away Friday, March 27, 2015 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2015 at Foss Avenue Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Reginald Flynn Officiating. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, 5175 E. Bristol Rd., Burton. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Mrs. Massey will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday. Johanna Jeanette Massey, affectionately known as “Jo,” was born June 9, 1961 in Flint, Michigan to George and Ruth Swims. She was the second of four girls, and was always the center of attention with her loving spirit and fearless nature. Jo graduated from Northwestern High School in 1980. She was a devoted member of Foss Avenue Baptist Church, where she worked in the children’s nursery and served on several committees. She was employed by General Motors Truck and Bus for 15 years, where she touched the lives of many whom she came in contact with. Jo loved her family dearly, especially her husband, children, grandchildren and pet rabbit Wiz. Everyone knew how much she loved her husband Calvin and how much he loved her because she always seemed to find a way to inject his name in every conversation. Jo would do anything to support her children and wanted nothing more than to see them happy. Anyone who knew Jo, knew that she was simply too fabulous to just be called grandma, so to her grandchildren, she was affectionately known as “Granny Princess.” Jo was everyone’s fashion consultant and personal shopper. She loved gospel music and could often be found praise dancing in her living room. Jo never met a stranger and was a trusted confidant and friend to many. She was a conduit for everyone’s problems and made time for all. Jo had the most giving heart and infectious personality, illuminating love and light everywhere she went. She was a closet comedian and had the most hilarious sayings, which her family affectionately refers to as “Jo-isms.” Jo leaves to cherish her memory: husband, Calvin Massey of Grand Blanc, Michigan; daughters, Keionnie (Adrian) Owens of Douglasville, Georgia, Paris Henderson of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Tori Henderson of Grand Blanc, Michigan; son, Quintin “Breyon” LeFlore of Flint, Michigan; grandson, Braxton Owens; granddaughters, Lyric Allums, Aubrey LeFlore and Zoé Henderson; parents, George and Ruth Swims of Flint, Michigan; mother-in-law, Erma Massey of Flint, Michigan; sisters, Terry Swims of Flint, Michigan, Anetta (Keith) Speed of Westerville, Ohio and Margaret (Thurman) Taylor of Grand Rapids, Michigan; sister-in-law, Marilyn Massey of Flint, Michigan; brother-in-laws, Kenneth Massey of Flint, Michigan, Felix (Cecilia) Massey of Arlington, Texas, and Jimmy Massey of Eldorado, Arkansas; nieces, Khadija Swims, Ashley Chaney, Kendra Speed, Alana Taylor, Alesha Taylor, Alexandria Speed and Paris Hill; nephews, Keith Speed, Travon Fountain and Bryce Massey; and a host of family, special friends and loved ones. The family would like to express special thanks to Rev. Reginald Flynn, First Lady Delores Flynn and the entire Foss Avenue Baptist Church, and a host of family, friends and loved ones.

Mrs. Johanna J. Massey

June 9, 1961 - March 27, 2015