Elizabeth "Shirvey" Massengill Stanley

Elizabeth Massengill Stanley (Shirvey), 85, of Lucama, NC, died at home with her family by her side on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

Shirvey was born in Smithfield, NC, on August 9, 1938, to Bradley C. and Garlie Florence Parker Massengill. She was number eighteen of nineteen children. Shirvey was known as a master gardener all along the Eastern Seaboard.  She began her career working at Joe Austin’s Flower Nursery for many years before taking over Lee’s Nursery as manager. In 1976, Shirvey and her husband, Bill, established Newsome’s Mill Flower Nursery in Lucama.  She and Bill worked the nursery together until his death in 1984.  She continued to manage and work the nursery for thirty plus years until her retirement. She was known for her wonderful cooking and baking abilities, she enjoyed feeding her family, and donating baked goods for various charities and fundraisers.

Shirvey also enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren sharing her secret recipes; encouraging each one to not tell anyone! One of her joys was baking special birthday cake requests for her grandchildren, accepting the challenge of the different flavors, colors, and shapes. She enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family, with Texas and the beach being her favorites. She worshiped her Lord at Smithfield First Pentecostal Church as long as her health allowed.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William Jr. Stanley, one grandchild and 17 brothers and sisters.  She is survived by her children, Nancy Sharon Snead, and husband Donnie, of Fayetteville, Charlene Lee and husband Chris of Four Oaks, Danny Kaye Stanley and wife Jerrie of Goldsboro and Sandra Gail Stanley of Lucama; grandchildren Renee’ Santana and husband Mike, Travis Pollard and wife Wendy, Brandy Patterson, Jackie Nichols and husband Chris, Danielle Hill, and husband McKayne, Bethany Stanley and fiancé Colby Shaw. She was blessed and treasured her 16 great-grandchildren. 

Visitation for Shirvey will be held at Rose & Graham Funeral Home, 5820 US Highway 301 South, Four Oaks, NC, 27524, on Thursday, September 21^st from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be held at Smithfield First Pentecostal Holiness Church located at 1000 Wilson Mills Road, Smithfield, NC, 27577, on Friday, September 22^nd at 3:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Roger Banks. Burial will follow at Hills of the Neuse Memorial Gardens located at 98 Packing Plant Road, Smithfield, NC.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements by Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Four Oaks, NC.