Misc. Notes
“Niny” was born on August 18, 1934 and passed away peacefully on January 24, 2014.
She was the daughter of Forrest James and Eula Mae Ross Avant. She grew up in Dilley, Texas and graduated from Dilley High School in 1950.
She attended the University of Texas, in Austin and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She graduated from SWTSU in San Marcos with a BS Degree in Education.
On June 4, 1955, she married
Carlton Massey of Rockwall, Texas. Carlton was an All American Football player at The University of Texas. From 1955 to 1960 the couple lived in Cleveland, Ohio, where Carlton played for the Cleveland Browns. From there, Carlton and Niny moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin where he played for the Green Bay Packers and later served in the Army Reserve in Newport, Virginia.
In 1960, the couple moved to San Antonio, Texas. Niny was an active member of the Battle of Flowers Association, the San Antonio de Bexar
DAR Society and the San Antonio Country Club.
In 1967, the couple moved to Dilley, Texas, where Carlton farmed and Niny worked at and eventually took over her father's insurance agency. Niny served as a member of the PTA, Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Dilley State Bank and Burial Records Director of the Dilley Cemetery.
As a member of the First United Methodist Church of Dilley, she volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, MYF leader, Church Treasurer and was a member of the United Methodist Women's Society.
Niny is remembered as a giving, loving mother and grandmother, family genealogist and avid Longhorn fan. Go Horns! Her spirit of fun, generosity and family values will be missed by everyone. Niny's "Hunting Lodge" will be very empty without her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two precious granddaughters, Bridgette and Amanda.
She is survived by her sister, Gloria Wheeler of San Antonio and Tilden, Texas and her brother, James Ross Avant of Dilley, Texas. She is also survived by her children, Michele and husband, Woody Bryan of Dilley, Janelle Massey of New Braunfels and Ken and wife, Melinda Massey of Lakeway. She leaves behind seven Grandchildren, Brittainy Bryan, Ashley and Jeff Ruggles, Christopher and Miranda Bryan, Travis Lassiter, Sarah and Chad Behrens, Anna and Amelia Massey. Three Great Grandchildren include, Elizabeth, Benjamin and Bryan Ruggles.