Marilyn Mask

Marilyn Mask was born Marilyn Louise Boyd on September 22, 1922 in Denison, Texas to Cicero Chester Boyd and Ella Lee Hardy. Weighing in at approximately 3 pounds, she had an identical twin sister, and a brother, both of whom died at birth. Two years later, her sister Vivian Lucille Boyd (McMillan) was born, and they were twins in spirit from that day until her sister’s passing on Christmas Day 2013.

Marilyn attended B.F. Darrell Elementary School and later Booker T. Washington High School, where she was a cheerleader. At that time, her ambition was to be a secretary in Washington, D.C., or a teacher. She went on to attend college at Prairie View A & M University (“P.V”), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Education and an M.B.A., both from P.V. After finishing school, “Louise” worked with the Dallas Express Newspaper and the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company as a secretary. Later, she taught in the Dallas Independent School District.

Her first marriage was to Eddie Prince Johnson II, who passed in 1975. Together they had three children, Eddie Prince, III, Jacquelyn Lucille, and Vivian Ellanore. She was married briefly to Van Jenkins, brother-in-law to her soror, Kathryn Marie Jenkins, and uncle to her soror, Barbara Fluker. Van passed away in New York in the early 70’s. The third time was a charm, when she reconnected with her childhood “summer” sweetheart, Oscar E. Mask. They married in the late 70’s and were married for over 20 years. Oscar, better known as “Boots,” lived in Sherman, Texas as a youth. It’s no secret to those who knew him then that every summer, when Marilyn and her sister Vivian went Sherman to spend their summer childhood vacations, Boots would make sure he was unattached and at her beck and call. In their reunited years, they had an equally wonderful marriage, as he treated her like royalty. He passed in 2002.

After 43 years as teacher and principal, Marilyn retired as Principal of J.W. Ray Elementary School in Dallas in 1990. But the very events from which she retired were the very same events in which she became even more active. Her community involvement follows (and is not limited to):

• Member, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Usher Board, Deaconess Board (70+ years)

• Member, International Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)

• Golden Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Dallas Alumnae Chapter (66 years)

• Two-term Co-Chair and Member, Delta Dears, Dallas Alumnae Chapter

• Charter Member/Alumna Member, Trinity (Tx) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

• Board Member, Supporter, African American Museum

• Volunteer, Supporter, Dallas Black Dance Theater

• One of Seven Founders and Member, Washington-Lincoln Alumni Association

• One of the Founders, Delta Epsilon Chapter, National Sorority, Phi Delta Kappa

• Life Member, Prairie View A & M Alumni Association

• Member, Dallas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA)

• Member, The Dallas Associates of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated

• Member, Friends of the Lancaster/Kiest Library

• Member, ‘Women with Money Too’ Investment Club

• Member, Dallas Genealogical Society

• Former Board Member, Greater Dallas Community of Churches

• Recipient of many awards for community service

Marilyn Johnson Mask is survived by her son, Dr. Eddie P. Johnson, III (Gladys), daughter, Vivian Johnson Hunter (Randall), Grandchildren: Tony Franklin, Eddie P Johnson IV (Michelle), Junius K. Johnson (Kamala), Valencia Johnson Jones (Kenneth), Nephews: Dr. Lemmon C. McMillan (Sharon), Dr. Samuel L. McMillan (Nora), Tanya McMillan (the late Dr. Robert McMillan), and a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, grand nephews, and many, many wonderful cousins, Sorors, Link Sisters, and loving friends.