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Samuel Massie
Law enforcement officials believe Danville school principal Samuel Massie, who was found dead Thursday, drowned in a pond in Rockingham County, N.C.
Dean Venable, spokesman for the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, said foul play is not suspected in the death of Massie, 54, principal of Langston Focus School. His body was found face down in a pond near Goose Pond Road off N.C. 700 between Eden and the Mayfield community shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, authorities said.
Massie’s body, which was found by a Rockingham County sheriff’s deputy and his dog, was a short distance from his 2006 Chrysler, Venable said.
“Property owner Claude Pryer Jr. recalled seeing the vehicle there Tuesday evening,” he said in a news release.
Venable said the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday to be on the lookout for Massie, who was regarded to be “potentially endangered.”
Venable said authorities feared he might harm himself.
Doris Kelly, one of Massie’s colleagues, said students and teachers are shocked by his death.
“It leaves you speechless and you don’t know which way to go,” Kelly said. “There are so many questions unanswered. We have to answer to God for what we do. We’re just trying to get through it. Pray for us.”
Kelly said the Langston staff and students are tight. They are used to seeing each other almost on a daily basis, she said, adding Massie spent a good chunk of time visiting teachers and talking to students.
Their fondness and devotion to Massie was strong, Kelly said.
It was not unusual for teachers and students to show up for weeknight or weekend programs Massie was leading, she added.
“If he was a part of the program, we tried to be a part,” she said.
Kelly said her heart goes out to Massie’s family, but said the school is grieving as well.
“We hurt just as much as they do,” she said.
Four members of the Langston Focus School family have died in the past year. Besides Massie, teacher Dorothea Holland, cafeteria employee Minnie Fitzgerald and student Aaron Younger have died within the past 12 months.
• Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.
Reader Reactions
Why was he considered “potentially endangered?“ I think the R&B;needs to get some answers to this question. Anyone know why this was reported this way? He was a cautious intelligent man and this does not make sense. He is going to really be missed by me and others.
Mr. Massie was one of the most respectable men I have ever known. I will truly miss him, He was Uncle Sam to me and so many other young people, a will always remember our talks that down the line that keep me out of so many bad things and wrong paths in live, My prayers go out to the whole Family, Love you Uncle Sam, gone but never forgotten.
I was so saddened by the news of such a loss to the Danville community. From kindergarten through high school, Sammie and I grew up with a wonderful group of childhood friends in the Danville Public Schools. He was an inspiration, talented, and fun to have as a friend. Prayers and Godspeed to his family, church and community. Please continue with the wonderful work he leaves behind. Vanessa
Mr Massie was a great person. There’s nothing anybody can say to take away what he have done for the youth over the years.During my school years in Danville, he has always believed in me and told me he will always be proud of me.I will keep him in my heart.He will always, be a part of my life.
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