Samuel Enell Mason was born on November 27, 1936 to the union of Willie Leo Mason (deceased) and Ethel Mae Gillett Mason (deceased) in Accomac County, Virginia. Two brothers: Clarke Bradley Mason and Alvah Columbus Mason and three of his five sisters: Hardenia Sutherland, Yvonne Blanche Mason and Audrey Virginia Mason preceded him in death.
Samuel was educated in the Accomac County School System until the 6th grade because of having to work to help his family. He attended Englewood High Night School in Chicago, Illinois, but dropped out due to employment obligations.
Samuel began dating Catherine Pettit in 1955 and conceived one daughter, Gloria. They married in 1957 to that union two daughters were born, Deborah and Lynnetta. In 1962, Samuel moved his family to Chicago, Illinois for better employment opportunities, at the urging of his father.
Samuel accepted Christ at a young age while attending the A & E Methodist Church in Accomac, Virginia. In 1963, he joined New Tabernacle Baptist Church, in Chicago, Illinois under the leadership of the late Rev. Norman L. Russell, Sr., where he served as a member of the Adult Choir and a leader of the Boy Scouts. He later joined Philadelphia Church of God in Christ, in Chicago, Illinois under the leadership of Elder Luther Gill (Emeritus) and Elder Anthony Gill, serving as an Usher until retiring from that position. He was a faithful member of Philadelphia COGIC until his health declined.
Samuel was employed by the Saw Mill in Accomac, Virginia. When he came to Chicago he worked at Regenstein Printing Company until 1988 when the plant closed. After the Closing of Regenstein, he worked for the State of Illinois (from which he retired), Sunrise Bus Company, US Cellular Field and other places of employment.
Samuel loved God and his family. His favorite scripture: John 3:16. He enjoyed telling stories to make people laugh, especially about childhood antics of him and his siblings. He often ended his stories with “we had a good time”. He loved listening to music, dancing and singing (out of tune and incorrect words) and sometimes made up his own songs. He rarely met a stranger that he would not engage in conversation. He was definitely a social man.
Samuel departed from his earthly life on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Catherine, three daughters: Gloria Mason, Deborah Sanford and Lynnetta Mason; six grandchildren, LeCherie, Damico, Brandon(Stephanie), Kiera, Jared, and Stanesha; nine great grandchildren: Kaitlin, Jayshawn, Alisa, Nosaj’ion, Kendall, Nakyra, Josiah, Adayah, and Damico; two sisters, Willia Taylor of Accomac, Virginia and Ann Mears of Camden, New Jersey; three sister-in-laws, Marietta Parker of Accomac, Virginia, Ruth Ann Mason of Camden, New Jersey, Ora Lee Pettit of Tarboro, North Carolina, a host of nephews and nieces; three special daughters: Paulette Brown, Denise Sutton (Willie) and Theresa Daniels (Kevin), “his boys”, two godchildren, several grand-godchildren and great godchildren and a host of friends.
