Lelia Elizabeth Laury Massie transitioned from this life for eternal rest on June 5, 2023 at Farmville Rehabilitation Healthcare Center in Farmville, Virginia. She was born on January 29, 1930
in Orange, New Jersey to the late Harold Laury, Sr. and Manola Patterson Laury. As a child, she moved to Buckingham, VA, where she lived until her graduation from Buckingham Training School in 1949. Upon graduation, she moved to New York and then to New Jersey, where she worked until she returned to Buckingham County in 1974.
Lelia was baptized in Union Hill Baptist Church at an early age and became recommitted upon her return to Virginia. Among the various ministries that she participated in over the years were Usher, Senior Choir, Hospitality Committee, the Ladies Helping Hand Committee and Senior Missionary Committee. She was
also an active member of the NAACP until illness curtailed her involvement. Mrs. Massie worked as a substitute teacher; she worked for CPAC and as a home health aide. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, attending church, and cooking.
Lelia married the late Arthur Massie in 1965. She was the mother of two sons - Marvin L. Laury (who passed in 1968) and Daryl A. Massie. She had six siblings - four of which are deceased - Evalyn L. Claiborne, John H. Laury, Jr., George Laury, Sr. and Gilbert Laury.
She leaves to mourn: one son, Daryl A. Massie (Elizabeth) of Lynchburg, VA; two grandchildren, Daryl, Jr. of Wilmington, North Carolina and Jessica of Richmond, VA; two brothers, Robert E. Laury (Rosa) of NJ, and Berkeley T. Laury (Irene) of VA; sister-in- law Thelma Finch of Pennsylvania; a devoted niece, Towanna Jordan (George) of VA; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones; and Cora Perkins, who remained her oldest and dearest friend from childhood until the end.