Lucille Holbert Mason, 103, Worthington town clerk for more than 30 years, church member for about as long as Monongah Baptist existed and mother of two Monongah High alumni, passed away Sunday, August 27.

She celebrated her 100^th birthday July 5, 2014 at the Monongah Baptist Church.

Daughters Patricia Sue Mason Wells, Class of 1955, and Pamela Mason Stanholtz, Class of 1970, drove their mother from Shinnston to Monongah every Sunday so that Lucille could attend Monongah Baptist Church.

Patty is the widow of Lyndon Wells, Class of 1955.

Patty and Pamela brought Lucille to her 100^th birthday party in Monongah in 2014. Among the guests was Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, who lives in Rivesville and who is the sister of John Olesky, Class of 1950, publisher of this Monongah High Alumni blog.

I forwarded the story of Lucille’s 100^th birthday party to my friend, then-editor of the Fairmont Times John Veasey, who wrote a tribute to Lucille in his column. Patty and Pam wrote me a warm thank-you note for putting their mother in the well-deserved spotlight.

The first MHS graduation class, in 1918, included William Fay Holbert, who passed away in 1956.

Lucille’s obituary:

Nedra Lucille Mason

July 05, 1914 - August 27, 2017

 

Nedra “Lucille” Mason passed away with peace, grace, and elegance just as she lived her life on August 27, 2017 in the home of her daughters who lovingly cared for her in the last years of her life.

Lucille was born in Richwood, WV on July 5, 1914 to the late William and Bessie Gooden Holbert. She grew up in a loving home with two brothers and two sisters; William Holbert, Carl Holbert, Geneva Ruth Holbert Blamble and Olive Marie Holbert Goff, all deceased. The family moved to Fairmont where Lucille was in the first class to attend all four years in the “new” Fairmont Senior High School in Loop Park. She continued her education at het Fairmont Normal School (now Fairmont State University) from where she graduated and went on to begin her teaching career. She taught in Weirton and at Fairview Elementary School in Marion County. Lucille worked for over 30 years as the town clerk for the town of Worthington. She was also proud of her work as a Sunday School teacher and for 35 years as the church clerk for Monongah Baptist Church, where she was a member. She has touched the lives of many children and their families.

Lucille met and started dating Gilbert Bates Mason because “he was good looking and had a car.” She married and shared her life with him because of a deep love and adoration of a very good man. Gilbert and Lucille married on December 27, 1936 and remained inseparable until his death in May 1987.

Lucille and Gilbert were the much loved parents of Patricia Sue Mason Wells, Richard Dean Mason (deceased), and Pamela Jean Mason Stanholtz. She spent most of her time throwing all her energies into her family, which grew to include four granddaughters; Diana Kay Wells Arthur (Keith), Wendy Ellen Wells, Karolyn Wells Kilpatrick and Sharon Ruth Wells Belcher (Mark), and four great grandchildren Caitlin Bryn Belcher, Cameron Prescott Belcher, Christian McKenzie Belcher, and Ethan Sean Kilpatrick.

She created beautiful hand-stitched quilts and put love into each stitch. She enjoyed creating pottery with her daughter, Pam, and loved to travel with anyone who would go with her. She was always ready for an adventure. For over 50 years, she enjoyed league bowling with her friends for various sponsors. She bowled well into her 80s.

Her home and kitchen were always open to others and she was a great example to her family by always studying her Bible and sharing her faith and God’s love with all she met. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. She had a great passion for helping others. Neighbors and friends often became family, especially Kevin Scott and Daryle, Jeannette, and Journey (her baby girl) Maher.

The family would like to thank Dr. Isha Woofter and staff for all their kindness during Lucille’s journey.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home in Fairmont from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2017. The  body will lie in state on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Monongah Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .