It is with profound sadness that the Massaquoi and Johnson families announce the passing of their matriarch, Fasia Rachel Massaquoi, Princess of the Gallinas Territory, age 97, on Monday morning, December 22nd, 2025, at the Island Home Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. She died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family and loved ones.
“Mommy” or “Oma” (as her family affectionately called her) was born in Hamburg, Germany, where her father, King A. Momolu Massaquoi served as Africa’s first diplomat to Europe. Her mother, Rachel E. Johnson, was the granddaughter of president Hilary Richard Wright Johnson. The family later moved back to Liberia, West Africa, where she lived until moving to the USA in the 1980’s to dedicate her time to the care of her children and grandchildren.
Whilst in Liberia, Fasia worked for many years as the Chief Librarian with LAMCO J.V. Operating Company and was also a very talented seamstress, graduating from the Ray Vogue School of fashion in Chicago, Illinois. Fasia settled with her family in Knoxville, Tennessee and became very active in St. James Episcopal Church. There she served as a member of The Daughters of the King, The Altar Guild, and various other ministries, including Helping Hands, the Prayer Shawl Ministry and the choir. She also delivered meals as a volunteer for many years with the Mobile Meals program. Fasia was well known by all who met her for her kindness and generosity, her abundant joy, her warm smile, and for lovingly adopting countless people as her children and grandchildren. She was a fervent believer, a dedicated Episcopalian, and a prayer warrior.
Fasia was preceded in death by her parents Rachel E. Johnson Massaquoi and King A. Momolu “Momofo” Massaquoi, brothers Arthur and Fritz Massaquoi, several other brothers and sisters, and her daughter Geleh. She leaves to mourn her loss a large and loving family including her children and their spouses; Charles (Massa), Tobertha (Lamar), Denise MusuHawa, Wokie (Stephen), Ulrich, and Hans (Olive); her grandchildren Edward (Janet), Erica, Wiatta, Yasameen, Lahai (Haley), Nayeema, Sedia, Tonia, Sanzeray, Fen, Devlin, Hans Jr. (Zoe) and Mina; her great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, countless relatives, and friends around the world. In addition to her daughters caring for her in her last years, the family acknowledges the caregiving support provided by her sons-in-law Lamar Jackson and Stephen Wicks.
The family will be holding a celebration of life service at St. James Episcopal Church,1101 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917 at 2pm on January 24th, 2026 with a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fasia’s memory can be sent to St. James Episcopal Church for the Rector’s discretionary fund and the Helping Hands Ministry. Please follow this link for your donation: www.stjamesknox.org/make-donateion-or-give-to-your-pledge
For those who are unable to attend, the service will be available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@stjamesknox
