Joyce Russell

Joyce Ann Cochran Massey Russell, age 82, widow of Jack Massey and James Russell, passed away June 22, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Born on December 25, 1938 in Kensington, Georgia, Joyce was the daughter of the late WW Cochran and Pirl Lou Arnold Cochran. She carried the Cochran temperament, allowing her to hold her own as the 9th of 11 children.

Joyce, known to all as “Jitter(bug),” attended Chattanooga Valley High School and was a long-time employee of Salem Carpet Mill.

Joyce enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed being a caregiver, providing a home and care to her brothers Watt and Hobo before they passed. She was preceded in death by siblings, Chuck Cochran, Effie McCormick, Watt Cochran, Mutt Ware, Grace Nave, Sue Ware, Hobo Cochran, and Tina Autry.

She loved reading her Bible, reading it cover to cover several times, with her favorite books being the Prophets.

She is survived by sons, Mike Massey, Lynn (LaShon) Massey, and daughter, Angie (Bill) Helwig, along with six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and countless nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel.

Interment at Coulter Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Brian Autry, Tadd Autry, Wesley Butler, Greg Butler, Randy Nave, and Jody Baker.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.