Mary Helen Burt Massey, age 90, of Fort Payne, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Crowne Health.
Helen was born March 10, 1935, on Lookout Mountain in the Dogtown community to James Elijah and Gencie (Casey) Burt. She married Elvin Massey Sunday, January 4, 1953.
When her daughters were ages five and nine, she led them with a honeyed alto voice as The Massey Trio; Martha Hughes Gilbreath was their first pianist. Approximately 12 years later she sang with Floyd Whaley, Don Reeves, her sister-in-law, Wanda Burt with pianist Gail Reeves Garrett as the Ruhama Quartet. Sometime later she sang with Milford Cushen, Larry, and Jeff Bruce with pianist Teresa Peyton as the Ambassador’s Quartet.
She was known for her hard work and undeniable joy of tending to her beautiful flower gardens and flower lined paths. Helen will be lovingly remembered for her elaborate Christmas Villages, decorating stylish Christmas trees, making custom made draperies, her made from scratch apple and pecan pies, delicious old fashioned iron skillet fudge and her love of all animals. Helen rescued many stray cats and made sure they were neutered and spayed, well fed and loved.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Elvin Massey; her brothers, J.R. (Russell), Donald, Ralph, and Kenneth Burt. She is survived by her daughters, Anita Massey and Renea Massey-Kusma, her sister Patricia Jones, many beloved nieces and nephews and their children including Talia Parker and Tucker and Hudson Jones; her sisters-in-law, Trillis (James) Moses and Betty Massey and lifelong friend, Stephanie Graham. She leaves behind the animals she loved more than life, eight cats and Gus the dog.
The family wishes to acknowledge every single employee at Crowne Health and Hospice of Alabama for their attentive and incredibly compassionate care.
A private graveside will be held at a later date.
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.
