Joyce Irene Bellows Massey died recently in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 72. Joyce was born in Kilgore, Texas, the third of four daughters to W.D. "Delmar" and Dorotha "Dot" Bellows on June 18, 1939. Joyce attended school in Delhi, La., graduating as valedictorian of Delhi High School in 1957. While attending Louisiana College, she earned several varsity letters and many awards, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1961.After working for Boeing Corporation while earning a master's degree in Secretarial Science, Joyce served as secretary to the president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While there, she met Robert Newell Massey Sr., a widower with two young children, whom she married on June 8, 1963. Later that year, the Masseys moved to Attalla, where Newell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, two additional children were born and Joyce began her teaching career. In 1969, Joyce's family moved to Gadsden. In 1974, Joyce earned her second master's degree in secondary education from the University of Alabama.From 1977 to 1999, Joyce taught special education at Gadsden High School. "Mama Massey," as many students called her, usually arrived at school before dawn to meet with parents and students. Her fanaticism for GHS Tiger sports was eclipsed only by her love for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. A Bama fan since college, her passion for the Tide grew after becoming an alumna and one of the earliest Tide Pride season ticket holders.In addition to sports, Joyce loved traveling (especially with her grandchildren), writing, spending time with family and friends, judging and assisting with beauty pageants, watching Broadway shows and movies, researching genealogy and family history, using and collecting computers and collecting and wearing purses and high-heeled shoes. From an early age, Joyce was politically active, met with numerous political leaders in support of education and other children's issues and was invited to White House events by two U.S. presidents. Her radiant smile, charming demeanor, generous nature and gentle spirit remained with her to the end.Joyce is survived by her children, Jo Ann and Brian Miller of Hastings, UK, and Sylacauga; Robert and Kristina Massey of Denkendorf, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, and Raleigh, N.C.; Jacquelyn Orton of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Rickey and Shana Massey of Gadsden; 10 loving grandchildren; and five adorable great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, W.D. and Dot Bellows; her husband, the Rev. R. Newell Massey; and her son-in-law, the Honorable William H. "Bill" Orton.A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Attalla. Family will greet guests an hour before the service, and following the service at an informal reception honoring Joyce's life. Suggestions for donations in Joyce's memory include: Gadsden City School System Foundation, Box 8506, Gadsden, AL 35901; Crimson Tide Foundation, Box 870343, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487; or a gift to the fund of choice through the University of Alabama Alumni Association.