Tributes continue to pour in for Abit Massey, an icon of Georgia’s poultry industry who died Friday from cancer. He was 96.
Massey was born on Nov. 14, 1927, in Hall County. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1949 with a business degree and earned a law degree from Emory University in 1955.
In 1959, Massey became director of the Georgia Department of Commerce, now the Department of Economic Development, where he created the Tourist Division and built the first Georgia Welcome Station, according to the Digital Library of Georgia.
Massey met his wife, Kayanne Shoffner, in 1959 during her reign as Miss Georgia. The couple later moved to Gainesville. Their son, Lewis, served as Georgia’s Secretary of State in the late 90s.
In 1960, Abit Massey became president of the Georgia Poultry Federation, a position he held for 48 years. He was inducted into the Poultry Industry Hall of Fame in 2019 after advocating for the poultry industry and working to expand research in the field. His work helped propel Georgia’s poultry industry into nationwide and global prominence.
Accolades and honors
The Gainesville Rotary Club recognized Massey in May at an event that included congratulations from four Georgia governors.
“I would suggest that a biography needs to be written about Abit Massey and it needs to be titled ‘The Best Governor the State of Georgia Never Had,’” former Gov. Nathan Deal said at the event.
Gov. Brian Kemp said Massey’s impact on Georgia, “especially when it comes to agriculture and poultry, will be felt for generations to come.”
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff echoed that sentiment in a statement over the weekend.
“Abit will be forever remembered and admired for his remarkable leadership growing Georgia’s poultry industry and for his leadership in our agricultural community,” said Ossoff.
Massey was a former member of Brenau University’s Board of Trustees. University President David Barnett expressed his condolences to the family, saying, “Georgia has lost a brilliant business mind and caring philanthropic heart.”
Massey earned numerous honors, including the 1986 UGA Alumni Merit Award, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s 2012 Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award, and the inaugural Medallion of Honor for Service to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
The Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network sits on Abit Massey Way, just off GA 365 in Gainesville.
A private family graveside service is planned, with a public memorial service to be set at a later date.
