A Tribute to Ellen Gray Massey, 1921-2014

We were sad to learn that Ellen Gray Massey, the inimitable Ozarks teacher and author, has died. If she were known for nothing else but editing “Bittersweet, the Ozark Quarterly Magazine,” that would be plenty. For ten years, she encouraged her students at Lebanon High School to interview their elders and document regional stories and traditions. “The concept of Bittersweet was cultural journalism and experiential education (learning while doing). The goal of the publication was to learn all aspects of running a business and at the same time, learn about the Ozarks, its geography, crafts, lore and the people who live there.” Mrs. Massey was an award-winning author, a well-regarded teacher of children and adults, and a long-time member of the Missouri Folklore Society. She will certainly be missed, though because of her, so much of the Ozark regional culture has been recorded for posterity.