Berniece Mason

Berniece Mason was born near Rusk, Texas on May 16, 1921. She passed peacefully into Heaven during her sleep on December 21, 2024, at the age of 103, in the presence of her son Scott and daughter-in-law Janis. They had lovingly cared for her for the last two years at their home in Rockwall TX. Even though bedridden, she loved having visitors, watching the Andy Griffith show, and reading voraciously!

Berniece had such a full life from childhood to her death. She fell in love with classical music at the age of 14 when she went to the movie theater after school one day. She unintentionally watched the movie Naughty Marietta over and over until her mother drove in to find her. After graduating from Rusk High School she moved to Ft Worth during WWII where she became an employee of Consolidated Aircraft in which she helped build the B-24 "Liberator" bombers as a Rosie Riveter of sorts. Berniece moved up the ranks until one day her supervisor asked her to move stations to put a new male employee in her spot, but she refused because she had her station set up perfectly, and was subsequently dismissed! But her colleagues admired her tenacity and independence.

She eventually moved to Dallas where she worked at Collins Radio where she met Betty Mason and some of her other lifelong friends. Betty introduced her to Jack, and she soon realized he was the one for her. Jack and Berniece were married on May 14, 1955, after which they settled in Richardson, TX. They started their beautiful family with John Mason in 1956, Jeanmarie in 1957 and Scott in 1961. Berniece was a devoted mother!

Berniece also rounded out her already full life with membership at First Methodist of Richardson, an avid member of the Republican Women’s Club, and with Jack they worked many Republican polls over the years, and delivered Meals on wheels. She was a superb seamstress, an avid gardener. She also baked intricate birthday cakes for everyone's birthdays, eventually graduating to making wedding cakes for 18 years to earn extra money.

In 1990 their son John (with some help from their daughter-in-law Jana) presented Berniece and Jack with beautiful triplet daughters. They adored the girls and were such an intimate part of their lives. John and Jana say until this day, they don’t know how they would have made it without the loving grandparents.

Berniece was preceded in death by her brother, W.T. Goolsbee, sister Sammie Hodges, husband Jack Mason, daughter Jeanmarie Mason, and granddaughter Rebecca Mason. She is survived by her sons John, with daughter-in-law Jana, and Scott, with daughter-in-law Janis, granddaughters Nicole Mason and Rachel Mason, as well as nieces, and nephews.

Bernice’s service will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home on Northwest Hwy in Dallas. Saturday, Jan 4 with visitation from noon to 1.30; Service at 2 pm followed by a short graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude’s Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.