Nora Jane Massey

Burlington-With great sadness and heavy hearts we announce, Nora Jane Youngblood Massey, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep due to COVID-19. A lifelong resident of Alamance County, Nora was born on February 20, 1929 to John and Fanny Youngblood (both deceased) in Burlington, NC.

At age 21, Nora married the love of her life, Mack Watlington Massey.  They were married for nearly 50 years until Mack’s death in May of 2000.  They traveled together, danced, were involved in church, made many lifelong friends, and were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Sandy and Cheryl.  Though our sadness is overwhelming at times, it is comforting to know their love will live on.

Nora will be remembered for her kindness and while she was definitely beautiful, it was her inner beauty that was felt and made her so loved by all that knew her. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, evident in so many ways, but a favorite was her saying, “okay, I’m beautiful now,” after getting ready to leave the house.  She loved to garden, and always had beautiful flowers thoughtfully placed throughout her yard and home. Nora loved to cook and having family traditions that are still carrying on today.  At Christmas she made each family member’s favorite cake, as well as on their birthdays—she had a way of making everyone feel special. Nora loved her soap operas, sweet tea, traveling with family, going on walks, and just spending time with her family. Words could never do justice to just how special Nora was. She was beautiful inside and out, and always showed genuine empathy to all. Nora was a devoted mother, wife, and grandmother--always actively engaged in each of their lives.

Nora is survived by her daughters Sandra Smith and husband Gordon and Cheryl Craig and husband Robert,  both of Elon, North Carolina, five grandchildren, Blair Smith (wife, Michelle), Brandon Smith  (wife, Mishanagqus), Brittany Smith, Jason Craig (fiance, Heather) and Kelsey Winter (husband, Andrew) and three great grandchildren, Mack, Cooper and Weston. Nora is also survived by her brothers, Lee Youngblood and Ronald Youngblood, and sister Carolyn Pulley, sister in laws, Grace Hill and Alice Brooks. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents; brothers, John Freeman Young, Jr., Finley Miller Youngblood and Lawrence Edward Youngblood and a sister, Rachel Elizabeth Holt.

Special thanks goes out to all the frontline heroes at Blakey Hall Assisted Living and Cone Health for their wonderful care of Nora, and to Mary Beasley and Anthony Graves for their devoted care to Nora throughout the years.

Due to public health concerns, the family has decided to honor their mother privately for family members and close friends at a brief graveside service at Pine Hill Cemetery, on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.

Those attending will be required to wear a mask and social distance.
In lieu of flowers, we encourage all of Nora’s loved ones to donate in her honor to The Dementia Society of America, https://www.dementiasociety.org/.