Marvin Gerome Massie was born on November 12, 1932 in Lynchburg, Virginia to Hanzel and Cora Lee Massie. He was reared by his mother and stepfather Silas Brice. He was the oldest of three children. He has two sisters, Veronica Penick and Cynthia Dixon. As a child he attended Jackson Street Methodist Church, where he began to learn about Jesus, God's Word the Bible, God's love for him and God's wonderful plan for his life. He graduated from Dunbar High School in Lynchburg in 1950 as Valedictorian. He attended Virginia State College for one and a half years, where he was studying to be a French interpreter for the UN. However, on March 7, 1952 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. While stationed at Bergstrom AFB, he met the beautiful Jewel Garner in 1954. They were married on April 5, 1955. They have one daughter Jewel Michelle Massie Jones, born in 1962.

While serving our country in the USAF, he was part of a top secret combat crew, first as a radio operator, and then he served on the 917th Air Refueling Squadron, Strategic Air Command, as a Boom Operator for the remainder of his Air Force Career. He had top secret clearance and was stationed and spent time in New York, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, California, Alaska, Hawaii, and Nebraska. He traveled overseas to Morocco, England, Spain, France, Guam, Azores, Okinawa, Thailand, Iceland, Greenland, and Goose Bay Labrador, to name a few locations!

After serving 24 years in the USAF, he retired on June 1, 1976. He enrolled in college and was able to complete a longtime dream. He graduated from Austin Community College with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1978 and then graduated from The University of Texas on December 20, 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. After working a short time with the US Postal Service, in 1981 he became a substitute teacher with the Austin Independent School District. With the help of Dr. Charles Akins, Asst. Superintendent, and Mr. Melvin Chambers, Vice Principal, in 1981 he was offered a teaching position in Social Studies at Johnston High School. In 1992 he retired from teaching and was a substitute teacher for another five years.

At the invitation of Rev. Dr. Freddie B. Dixon Sr., Marvin visited Wesley. Shortly afterward, in the fall of 1987 he surrendered his life to the Lord and was born again. He has been a member of Wesley since then, and was proud to have his daughter married at Wesley in 1989. While at Wesley, he

was a faithful member of the Wesley United Methodist Men's fellowship. It was his joy and honor to be a part each month
and even while receiving dialysis treatment on Saturday's, he made a priority to attend.

Marvin served his community as a member of the Capital City Lion's Club, past President, Secretary, Historian, and Tail Twister, attended numerous National and International Lions Conventions, Mentor at Barbara Jordan Elementary School, Rosewood Advisory Board Member, Voting Precinct #126 Chairman, Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, Board Member Treasurer, RSVP Senior Representative, and Eldorado Club.

In earlier years he was an avid racquetball and handball player, being the base champion for five consecutive years; bowler, and jogger. He ran the Capital 10, 000 race for the last time at age 65.

Family members include his devoted wife of 59 years, Jewel, daughter & son-in-law of San Antonio Michelle & Rev. John Alfred Jones, grandchildren Nicholas, Lindsay, Elliot, Cameron, and Kyla Jones, sisters Veronica Penick, Cynthia Dixon, and brother- in- law David Dixon all of Maryland, brother-in-law Frederick D. Garner in Temple, TX, sister-in-law Minnie Jackson of Austin, niece Carolyn Brooks of Maryland, nephews Willie Jackson of Austin, Alexander and wife Anika Dixon of Philadelphia, PA, and a host of family and friends whom he loved and cherished.