JILLETTE SUZANNE MASSERY,
29, passed away on March 7, 2021. She was a beautiful person with a heart of gold. She was giving, caring and a joy to all who had the good fortune of knowing her. As the mother of a special needs child, she was dedicated, attentive and loving.
Jillette graduated from Parkview Magnet High School. She was currently attending Pulaski Technical College with the goal of becoming an occupational therapist. She was a diligent student who gave her very best to each and every assignment.
She was a hard worker. She constantly had a list of goals and projects. Jillette believed in having fun and radiated that fun to all around her. She played many roles in life and excelled at them all. She was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a neighbor and a friend.
From the very beginning she was the delight of her brother and sister. She was creative in her play and made childhood a joyous experience for them. No one could get chocolate on the ceiling while baking cookies like she could! One of Jillette’s favorite roles in life was that of “Auntie”. She adored her nephews. She was resourceful and made up games to play with them to help them to learn life’s important lessons. She was also a dedicated niece who helped with every project. She was always willing to jump in to do whatever was needed whether spreading mulch or cleaning with exuberance.
She was the kind of daughter any mother would dream to have. She was beautiful inside and out. She was helpful and would take on any task with gusto. She was delightful as a child and then turned into an amazing young woman. She made even the most mundane of tasks, whether grocery shopping or mowing the lawn, into an entertaining and memorable experience.
She was a loving granddaughter. She was the delight of her grandfather and grandmother. She was one of the primary caregivers to her grandmother for the last two years of life, allowing her grandmother to remain at home to be safe and cared for in a loving atmosphere. Not only did Jillette meet her grandmother’s basic needs during this time but she brought her immense joy. This joy was shown by the delight in her grandmother’s eye in her final days at Jillette’s arrival each morning.
Jillette strived to provide a loving home for her husband and her child. She loved to paint and decorate her home and serve brunch on Sunday mornings. She diligently planned and made meals an experience. She hosted numerous celebrations for family and friends.
She had a wide circle of friends, cousins and neighbors who meant the world to her. She radiated joy and happiness and cultivated many lifelong friendships.
Jillette cherished her son William. Her life revolved around him. When William was diagnosed with autism, she worked tirelessly to find the best educational resources to help him. She worked with teachers and therapists diligently and made sure he had every game or toy that was suggested to benefit him. He has thrived under her care and there are no words to describe how she will be missed by him.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Mary Massery. Survivors include her husband, Wesley Pursell; her son, William Thomas Massery II; her mother, Nancy Massery; her brother, Benjamin Lindley; her sister and brother-in-law, Lauren and Anthony Carter; her nephews, Mason Carter, Jimmy Carter and Lochlan Lindley; her very special uncle, R. David Massery; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, neighbors, and friends.
Although brief, her life is an example of a life well-lived. She brought joy to all of those around her. She brought out the best in others. Even though our hearts are shattered, all of those who loved her are better people for having had Jillette in our lives and she will remain in our hearts forever.
Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2021, at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Williams Magnet School in Little Rock. Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.