Linda Sue Massey
Linda Massey, 67, died April 9, 2020, in Dalton, Georgia, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Born on May 27, 1952, in Whitfield County, the former Linda Sue Fowler was the daughter of William Clayton and Gertha Mae Fowler, both of whom preceded her in death.
She graduated as valedictorian of Southeast High School in 1970 and studied at Dalton Junior College before transferring to Valdosta State and later graduating from North Georgia College with a Bachelor of English degree.
Except for brief stints in Athens, Ga., and Washington, D.C., Linda spent her entire working career giving back to the Dalton-Whitfield community. For many years she served as a case worker for the Georgia Department of Rehabilitation Services and for Georgia Legal Aid Services.
In 1996, she began working for Dalton State College as Public Relations Specialist, a position she held for 18 years. During her tenure, Linda was nominated for and received the second annual Dalton State College Foundation Beth Burdick Service Excellence Award in 2006. Colleagues remember her as a talented writer and photographer who was unfailingly kind to everyone she met, a selfless professional who put others’ needs before her own, a loyal friend, and an energetic cheerleader for Dalton State, her beloved alma mater.
Linda’s pride in Dalton State and her love and devotion to her colleagues and friends was second only to the love and pride she felt for her beloved family. She is survived by her husband of nearly 41 years, Joseph Bennett Massey of Dalton; daughter, Laura Elizabeth Massey (Dewet Diener) of London, England; and son, William Bennett Massey (Colleen) of Atlanta.
Linda is appreciated by her family for her selfless efforts to help them succeed in all their endeavors, is remembered by her friends for her unwavering loyalty and thoughtfulness, and is revered by her colleagues for her pursuit of excellence in everything she undertook.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to either the Dalton State College Foundation or to the American Parkinson Disease Foundation.
Arrangements are by Ponders Melrose Chapel 138 Melrose Drive Dalton, GA 30721, (706) 226-4002.