Kayanne Shoffner Massey of Gainesville, Georgia, an alumna and longtime supporter of Brenau University, died Dec. 22 at age 84. The full obituary is available online.
“We were saddened to learn of the passing of Kayanne Massey,” Brenau President David L. Barnett, Ph.D., said. “Kayanne kept the name of her alma mater raised up in the community and always spoke highly of Brenau and our students. We express our deepest condolences to the entire Massey family for the loss of both parents, as Abit Massey passed away in June. Our local community has lost a wonderfully warm and kind spirit with the passing of Kayanne.”
Kayanne Massey, WC ’63, was the eldest of three children born to the late Betty Lewis Shoffner and Paul Shoffner in Calhoun, Georgia. A former Miss Georgia, she transferred to Brenau as a sophomore and joined Chi Omega sorority. She graduated summa cum laude with her degree in education in 1963.
Brenau honored her in August with a special dedication of the Kayanne Shoffner Massey Tiger’s Den student lounge. A placard unveiled at the ceremony features a quote from Massey: “Kindness is magic.” The gift was made in her honor by her late husband, Abit, only months before his passing in June at age 96. In addition to the Kayanne Shoffner Massey Tiger’s Den, the conference room in the historic Simmons Visual Arts Center will be named for Kayanne and feature another quote of hers: “Follow your dream.”
Abit and Kayanne Massey married following her reign as Miss Georgia in 1959 and moved to Gainesville in 1961. They were married for 64 years. Kayanne devoted many years to being a full-time mother and wife while also serving as a substitute teacher and community volunteer. Kayanne and Abit Massey had two children, Lewis and Camille, and four grandchildren.
The Masseys enjoyed many years of volunteer service and frequently volunteered together to support several causes in Gainesville and Hall County, including the March of Dimes, Hall County Library System, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Good News Clinics, and Junior Achievement. Abit Massey, a pioneer in the poultry industry, was a familiar face among Gainesville and Hall County businesses and civic organizations.
The pair had been longtime supporters of Brenau, and Abit Massey served on the university’s Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors. The pair also donated a statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the university, which overlooks Roosevelt Square at the Downtown Center.
A private family service at the Alta Vista Cemetery will be followed by a celebration of life service at a later date.
