Bernice "Bernie" Lee Massey

Bernice “Bernie” Lee Massey of Burlington passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. A long-time resident of Alamance County, he was born in Orange County on August 9th, 1931 to the late Leath Bradsher Massey and the late Roxie Ann Eastwood Massey.

He was the beloved husband of Eleaner Sue Thomasson Massey for 43 years, who died in December 2020. Bernie leaves behind his sons, Al Massey (Cathy) and Roger Massey (Holly); 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; brothers, Frank (Mary) Massey and David Massey; sisters, Alice Allen, Bea Cook, Becky Mitchell, Jean Mills and Lou Blair; a brother-in-law, Tripp (Teresa) Thomasson; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, he leaves behind special friends Lil Hikes, and Shirley Holmes, and several other friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; a son, Jerry Wayne Massey; a grandson, Ricky Wayne Massey; brothers, John “J.R.” Massey, Melvin “Shorty” Massey, James “Jim” Massey and Robert Massey, and Bernie and Sue’s precious dog, Mason who will be buried with him.

Bernie retired after many years with Cone Mills. He was a former dirt track racecar driver at ACE Speedway; an avid golfer who enjoyed golf vacations with his brothers, brothers-in-law and friends. Bernie enjoyed gardening, fishing and he was self-taught playing by ear blue grass music on his Dobro. He and Sue were avid bluegrass fans and loved their many RV camping trips to bluegrass festivals at Myrtle Beach and the mountains.

A funeral service to celebrate Bernie’s life will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 2:00PM at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. J.E. Chip Sellew, Jr. with the entombment to follow at Alamance Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:45PM prior to the service at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at THE HOME PLACE of Burlington as well as the AuthoraCare Collective Hospice of Burlington for all their loving care and compassion that was show during his illness.

Memorials may be made to The Children’s Shriner Hospital, Duke Cancer Center, or Hospice of Burlington. We may watch the service and send condolences to www.lowefuneralhome.com.