Viola Marie Beckman Massie

Viola Marie Beckman Massie, 96, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025, in Gonzales, TX. She was born in Deaf Smith County, TX, on May 18, 1929 to Walter T. and Mary Hartman Beckman. She was baptised and began school at St. Mary’s Church in Umbarger, TX. Belonging to a farming family, they moved to Hereford, TX in 1942 where she graduated high school and then attended Texas Tech University at Lubbock, TX.

Viola married Billy G. Massie from Hereford where they lived until moving to Gonzales in 1971. They were married 67 years, raising three sons, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Massie developed her own sign painting business, which she ran out of her garage wherever she lived. She was a charter member of VFW Post 4818 Auxiliary in Hereford, serving as President one term. She also belonged to St. James Altar Society. Her hobbies included furniture refinishing and bridge.

Her pleasure and treasure was her family. She is survived by her sons, Jeffrey Neil Massie and wife Sammie, William Scott Massie and wife Erin, grandchildren Charlotte Massie (Scott), Gwen Butler (Matt), Brian Massie (Rayeder), Joshua Massie, Jeremy Massie, and Timothy Massie, along with 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Mary Ann Deck, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was welcomed into paradise by her husband, Billy G. Massie, her son, Tim Massie, her parents, her sister Veronica Stanley, and her brothers Walter Kelly Beckman and Louis Beckman.

There will be a Holy Rosary on September 27, 2025 at 9:30am, followed by a memorial service at 10:00am at St. James Catholic Church. Family and friends are also invited to gather afterwards in remembrance at the St. James Church reception hall. The family would like to thank the staff at Crown Hospice in Victoria for their outstanding professionalism and care in making Viola’s final weeks as comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity organization of one’s choice.