Nelmarie Mason

Norfolk- Nelmarie Mason, 84, passed away January 5, 2012. Nelmarie was born in Pensacola, FL., on Halloween in 1927; the only child of the late Dora and Vernie L. Peagler, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, Erma and Arthur Peagler, and was educated in Pensacola, FL. She moved to the Tidewater area and was a resident of Norfolk since 1947. Widowed at an early age, Nelmarie raised her two children alone, educated herself in the trade of cosmetology and retired as a beautician when she married her second husband, the late Bill Mason. Nelmarie was a loving mother, and a devoted grandmother. She was also a primary caregiver to her special needs grandson for over 20 years. Nelmarie was an extremely kind person who was always ready to lend a hand to her friends and neighbors. She had been a resident of Thornton Hall since February 14, 2000. Nelmarie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah E. and Ronald Hite of Norfolk, and son and daughter-in-law Julian A. and Barbara Keith of Milton, FL. Three grandchildren; Brian E. Brown of Norfolk, Christie L. DeCosta of Winter Garden, FL. and Kristopher T. Keith of Orlando, FL.; one great-grandson, Bryce DeCosta; one great-granddaughter, Kaydence DeCosta, and a host of friends and acquaintances who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her sweet disposition and winning smile along with an uncanny ability to remember words to any song she ever heard. The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Thornton Hall for the years of care and devotion extended to Nelmarie. She is now in the arms of her Savior, Jesus. Her family and the angels will be celebrating her homecoming. The family will receive friends at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, on Sunday, January 8, 2012, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Services will be conducted on Monday, January 9, 2012 in the Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel at 10:00am, with a burial to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Friends are invited to attend a reception after the services at Woodlawn Funeral Home.