Henry Massey, Jr, age 78 of Rock Hill, SC passed on Tuesday, March 3 rd (2026).
Henry was born on November 16,1948 to Henry Massey, Sr. and Carolyn Johnson
Massey. He has three sisters: Phoebe Massey Evans, Carolyn (Lynn) Edens, Ida
Massey Shelton.
Henry was a lifetime resident of Rock Hill, SC. He attended Central School and was a
1967 graduate of Rock Hill High School. He cherished his “Black Street” friends and the
Rock Hill High School Flames (Stuart Parrish, Jimmy Pope, Dickie Smth, Tommy Ward,
Wayne Wingate). Henry loved spending time at his family’s river house (on Lake Wylie)
and water skiing. One of his favorite childhood memories was attending basketball
camp at Rupp Area. He attended Montreal College and often told stories of playing
basketball and being “recruited” to play soccer in his Chuck Taylor hightops.
Henry worked at The Bleachery and National Gypsum as an accountant. In retirement
he enjoyed woodworking and painting.
Henry married Gayle Kiker on December 18, 1967. They have two children – twins –
Lauren Poag and Henry Rion.
Henry was an avid sports fan. He spent hours playing basketball with Lauren, Rion and
their friends in the driveway of the family home. He cheered for the Duke Bluedevils
and never hid his dislike of the UNC Tarheels. He delighted in horse racing and
meeting American Pharaoh after winning the 2015 Triple Crown at Coolmore Stables.
He enjoyed following the Atlanta Braves and the Tour de France. He could turn any
vacation bike ride into an adventure. Henry was an animal lover, compassionately
caring for the family dogs and cats.
Henry was proceeded in death by his parents and sisters Lynn and Pheobe.
His surviving family are his wife Gayle Kiker Massey, his daughter Lauren Massey West
(James Alan West), his son Henry Rion Massey (Beth Gregory Freeman), his
grandchildren Henry Peyton Massey, Daven Poag West, Rion Cole Massey, his sister
Ida Massey Shelton, nephews Gregory Ferrell, Rob Evans and nieces Alison Evans
Ingles and Amy Evans.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 22 nd at 4:00 p.m. at Laurelwood
Cemetery in Rock Hill, SC.