Verba Marie Massey, 98, of St. Joseph, Missouri died on December 14, 2024, at Country Squire Retirement Residence.
Verba was born on June 29, 1926, in Leona, Kansas to Robert and Ona (Bond) Richter. She graduated from Leona High School. She was married to Floyd Wilson Massey on April 12, 1944, in Frankfurt, KS. He preceded her in death on January 15, 1999. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Roscoe Pete Richter, a sister, Nadine Delzeit, and a son, Paul Douglas Massey Sr.
She is survived by her children & spouses, son Roger Massey & wife Sue Barrowman Golden, CO; daughter Janiece Niemann & husband Jimmy Dallas, TX; daughter Lois Massey & son-in-law Dale Pickerell Dallas, TX; daughter-in-law Ida Massey St. Joseph, MO; 7 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren & 8 great-great-grandchildren.
She lived briefly in Memphis, TN. & San Francisco, CA. until Floyd was deployed to the Pacific as a member of the U.S. Navy. When Floyd returned from the war, they lived in Horton, KS, until 1970 when they relocated to Troy, KS. They moved to St. Joseph, MO. in 1979. They built a new house in Horton with lumber supplied by tearing down several old buildings. They also refurbished several houses in Troy and St. Joseph. Verba would much rather have been shingling a roof than cooking a meal. That work ethic, spunk and confidence always served her and her family well.
Verba retired from JC Penney after 30 years of service in 2012 at age 86. She was a fixture in the East Hills JC Penney men’s department for many years and numerous people referred to her as Mrs. JC Penney when they would see her around town. She didn’t start her career until her youngest of 4 children had graduated from college.
One of her fondest memories was treating her entire immediate family to an all expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World in 1992. She also loved doing countless jigsaw puzzles & family boating trips to Norton, Kansas even though she feared water. Her sense of humor was quick witted, and she was genuinely funny!
A memorial of her life is being planned for the Spring. Cremation under the direction of Simplify Cremations & Funerals.
