Willie Ruth Massey

Willie Ruth Compton Massey, 92, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away at Southeast Health in Dothan on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. Funeral services for Ruth will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, April 18th, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Brother Clay Crum officiating. She will then be laid to rest beside her husband in Mt. Ida Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing the services. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday for one hour prior to the service.

Ruth was a proud graduate of Troy University, where she earned her Bachelor's in Education, and later Auburn University, where she completed her Master's in Secondary Education. She spent more than 30 years teaching government and economics at Dothan High School, where she was loved, respected, and remembered by generations of students who quickly learned she meant what she said and said what she meant. She was so very proud of her service in helping educate our youth so that they could be more productive citizens of this country.

Known to her family simply as "Granny," she loved them fiercely and made sure they knew it. Some of her happiest times were spent camping with her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, making memories that will be talked about for years to come. She also enjoyed traveling, whether it was seeing more of the country or heading off to favorite spots like Aruba and Branson. Ruth was truly a kind though strong-willed woman, with just the right amount of feisty. A true Southern lady, she always carried herself with class and grace, all while being sharp as a tack and fully capable of holding her own in any room, She was a longtime member of Mt. Ida Methodist Church and later Denton Road Methodist Church in Dothan. But above all else, her favorite place in the world was right by her husband's side, so there is comfort to be found for those she leaves behind that they have been reunited.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 72 years, Tipton Carnes Massey; their infant daughter; and parents, William Randolf & Abbie Ruth Nichols Compton. She is survived by treasured sons & daughters-in-law, John & Janet Massey and Paul & Beth Massey; grandchildren, Tipton Massey, Melinda (Brett) Hendry, Catharine (Jacob) Wadkins, and Abbie Massey; great-grandchildren, Sloan & Ellis Hendry and Everett Wadkins; brother, Jack Compton; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Mt. Ida Cemetery Fund, c/o Roxine Currie, 3752 Mt. Ida Road, Luverne, Alabama 36049.