Myrtle Joan Massey

 Myrtle Joan Massey (née Carson), 92, of Hughesville, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Born April 12,1934, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Joan grew up in abject poverty during the Great Depression. As a young girl, her family moved to Washington, D.C., where she met her first husband, Joseph Paul Brannon. Over the years she lived for short periods in Texas and Japan before settling in Maryland, where she spent the remainder of her life.

 Joan was a skilled typist and stenographer. She worked at a Washington, D.C. television station for a short time, where she obtained passes for her oldest sons, as well as a niece, to appear on the beloved children’s show “The Pick Temple Giant Ranch TV Show.”

 Once her children were grown, Joan worked in data entry at NASA’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and later in NASA’s Congressional Liaison office, where she had the opportunity to meet several astronauts, including John Glenn.

 For most of her life, Joan was a devoted stay-at-home mother and a wonderful cook. Because of her hospitality, neighborhood kids loved to drop in and visit with her. She loved to run for fitness and encouraged others to join her. She completed the Marine Corps Marathon twice. She ran in many other road races and won a number of awards in her age group. She was also an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and in her later years found great pleasure sitting on the porch watching the birds.

  Joan married Sidney Massey on June 18, 1988. They remained together until her death.

 She was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Brannon; her parents, Chester and Kathleen Carson; sisters Bernice, Kathleen and Mary Ann; her brother Bernie and her grand-daughter Brittany Massey. Joan is survived by her loving husband, Sidney Massey; her sons, Joseph Brannon Jr. (Cheryl), Steven Brannon (Mollie) and Richard Brannon (Pam); her stepchildren, Amber, Lea and Wade Massey (Julia); her grandchildren, Alyse Trinch (Chris), William Brannon (Kristen), Thomas Brannon (Corinn Finlason), Daniel Brannon and Denver, Justine and Desmond Massey. She was great-grandmother to Sydney, Steven, Titus, Riley, Michael, Judah and Willow.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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