Hundreds of guests met at the Banquet Hall at First Baptist Church on Monday to honor and pay tribute to Abit Massey who had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
Massey, a longtime staple in the poultry industry, was honored at the event by multiple high-ranking members of government across Georgia.
Among those in attendance was Governor Brian Kemp as well as First Lady Marty Kemp.
"Abit is a living legend in regards to the impact that he's had on our great state, especially when it comes to agriculture and poultry and that will be felt for generations to come," said Governor Brian Kemp. "It is certainly a testament to a life well lived that so many of our state's influential leaders past and present that take the time to honor him here today."
Some other notable names who spoke about Abit were UGA President Jere Morehead, Rep. Matt Dubnik and Former Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal was also in attendance and made a suggestion to the audience. "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," he stated.
Abit's son Lewis, who served as Georgia Secretary of State from 1996 to 1999, gave one of the final speeches of the evening and said that his father "loves Rotary, he loves Gainesville and we hope and pray that he'll be back to a rotary meeting in the near future."
