Born to Alfred Lee and Gladys Lee (Weatherford) Chatham, Linda lived a happy childhood alongside her sisters Carolyn and Gladys Jean and maternal grandmother Jesse Weatherford. Their home was situated near the foot of the Forest Service fire lookout tower where her daddy spent his days watching for fires. As a fifteen year-old girl Linda lost her beloved daddy and looked forward her whole life to sitting in his lap again one day in heaven. Growing up at Four Notch was really special. Linda went to school in Huntsville where she made many lifelong friends. Her wonderful teachers in Huntsville encouraged her desire to become a teacher herself upon graduation in 1963. She went on to graduate from Sam Houston State University in 1966, where she was President of Kappa Delta sorority.
Soon after graduation while teaching in Deer Park, she met William W. Mason at Park Place Methodist Church. He found her to be the cutest, smartest sorority girl, who was vibrant in social settings. They married in 1968 and went on to share 58 beautiful years together. They had the most fun raising their son David and daughter April and taking them on many adventures. Linda taught countless first grade children over 23 years in Newark, Delaware, and Deer Park, College Station, Willis, and Kline, Texas. Bill and Linda opened the Western Auto store in Conroe in 1976 and ran it for 47 years where they served many customers and friends. They were active members in the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class at First United Methodist Church in Conroe for decades. Linda loved the Lord.
Linda had many gifts and talents. She was a devoted wife, doting mother, and dear friend to many. She was a fantastic cook, played the piano beautifully, kept the books for the business, tenderly cared for many elderly family members, and served behind the scenes in many organizations. She loved flowers, Sam Houston University, and Bill’s Texas A&M Aggies.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Gladys Chatham and sister Gladys Jean May. She is survived by her husband William Mason; son David Mason (Lauren); daughter April Payne (Jason); grandchildren Sterling Mason (Emily); Sage Blair (Richie); Struan, Stori, and Sable Mason; JP, Nina, and Chatham Payne; sister Carolyn Parrott; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends Sheryl Holmes and Jane Miller; and friends in the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 23, at 1:00 p.m. at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas. The funeral will follow at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Linda encouraged donations to First Methodist Church in Conroe or Lakepointe Church in Royse City; Montgomery County A&M Scholarship Foundation; or Sam Houston University Foundation.
