Obituaries: Massey, Hooper, Edwards

David Massey, 57, Sept. 16 in Longview. He was pastor of First Baptist Church in Hallsville. He previously was pastor at First Baptist Church in Diana, Hebron Baptist Church in Yoakum, David MasseyEdgefield Baptist Church in Waco and Ephesus Baptist Church in Marquez. He was associate pastor at Bosque Valley Baptist Church in Clinton and minister of education/youth at First Baptist Church in Clifton. He served on the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas from 2002 to 2008, and the board of trustees of East Texas Baptist University from 2002 to 2011. He was preceded in death by his wife, Becky. He is survived by his daughters, Mari Lynn Hensley, Michelle Massey, and Martha Massey; son, David; mother, Marie Massey; sisters, Becky Ellison and Karen Gonzalez; and one grandson.

Polly Hooper, 76, Sept. 4 in Dallas. She and her husband, Arville Senter, served 20 years as missionaries in Tanzania starting churches, training pastors and working in evangelism. Polly HooperAfter returning to the United States, she became active in Woman’s Missionary Union. Following her husband’s death, she married Dale Hooper in 1994. They served as Mission Service Corps volunteers in South Africa and Tarrant Baptist Association. She most recently served five years as a ministry assistant with Texas WMU and was set to retire at the end of the year. She is survived by her husband; twin sister, Maurine Jones; sister, Margaret Gayle; son, Randy; daughters Belinda Kingsley and Paula Moore; stepsons, Rollin and Ryan Hooper; stepdaughter, Renee Hooper; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Welby Edwards, 98, Sept. 9 in Tyler. He was a former longtime trustee of East Texas Baptist University. He and his wife, Davida, funded creation of the School of Nursing in 1989. In 2001, he received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the university. In 2005, he donated funds to renovate the ETBU softball field. Earlier, he served as an officer with a four-man crew in the Pacific with the Far East Air Force. He was discharged in 1945, receiving the Philippine Liberation Medal, three Battle Stars, one Bronze Star and 35 cents for bus fare back to his hometown of Tyler. He was a charter member of the Radio Bible Class at First Baptist Church in Tyler in 1935, and was a deacon there more than 50 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years; sisters, Vivian McNeill and Veo Mallard. He is survived by his wife, Sue; son, D.M.; daughter, D’Ann Stripling; stepson, Donald Dudley; stepdaughter, Elizabeth Lampin; one grandson; two stepgrandchildren; and one great-grandson.