Frances Luella Mason

She was born June 1, 1919 in Tampa, Florida, the daughter of Russell Francis Safford and Mary Burkham Safford. Frances graduated from Lenoir High School in 1936 as Valedictorian. She attended Business College and later married Jack F. Mason, Sr. in 1940.

For 38 years Frances was the secretary at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church of Lenoir as well as a devout member. She retired at the age of 85 deciding to slow down and take it easy. Always a caring and loving person, Frances only spoke of the good in others. Frances had a meek and humble spirit that was admired by all who knew her.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Atherton and Mildred Safford (aunt and uncle who raised her and her siblings after the death of their mother), brothers Bill and Clarence Safford, sister Delores S. Gray, and daughter Janet Mason. She is survived by daughters Kaye Blair and husband Jim, Beverly Sipes and husband Gerald all of Lenoir, Sheryl Knupp and husband Steve of Greenville, SC and son Jack Mason, Jr. and wife Debbie of Hudson, NC, brother Bill Safford and wife Diane, and sister Elaine Wagner. In addition, Frances is survived by grandsons Jon Blair, Chris Blair, Michael Sipes, and Dr. Shea Tolbert as well as four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Receiving will be held on Tuesday, October 12 from 2 to 3pm with the service to immediately follow at 3pm at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Lenoir, NC with the Reverend Tony Bradshaw officiating. Burial will be held at Belleview Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Andrews, Thomas Bowman, Jr., Eddie Braswell, Richard Craig, Brad Herman and Ronny Munday.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 1405 Harper Avenue NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences to the family can be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.

Pendry’s Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.