Gracie Evelyn Mason

Born August 4, 1933, in Willisville, Arkansas, Gracie was the daughter of Adie Jewel and Pearlie Leola Paden. A determined student and standout athlete, she graduated from Oak Grove High School in Rosston, Arkansas, where she was a shooting guard on the basketball team despite being just five feet tall! Her skill and spirit earned her a basketball scholarship to Butler College in Tyler, Texas.

After attending Butler, Gracie worked as a nurse before returning to school and proudly earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Portland State University in 1977. Her commitment to helping others carried seamlessly into a long and impactful teaching career with Portland Public Schools, where she spent most of her years as a beloved pre-kindergarten teacher at Humboldt Elementary School. She retired in 1997, having shaped countless young lives with patience, creativity, and care.

Gracie met her life partner, Lee Lenard, in 1965. Together, they built a life centered on love, laughter, and shared purpose. They raised two children, Darcell and Dale. Lee preceded Gracie in death, but their legacy of unity and devotion continues through the family they nurtured together.

Gracie’s life was also marked by deep and enduring faith. She was an active member of several churches throughout her life—beginning with Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in her Arkansas hometown, and later St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, and most recently Maranatha Church of God in Portland.

She was also a dedicated member and secretary of The Mothers and Patrons Club of the Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., reflecting her lifelong commitment to community service, sisterhood, and mentorship.

Known affectionately in childhood as "Pudding," Gracie filled her life with color and joy. Her home was decorated with her own paintings, and she took pleasure in word search puzzles, jewelry making, gardening, and Bean Bag Baseball at the Urban League Senior Center. She had a sweet tooth for anything lemon (especially lemon custard ice cream), loved Diet Coke, and rarely turned down a visit to Red Lobster.

Gracie had a rare gift for making others feel welcomed, supported, and loved. She was a second mother to many of her nieces and nephews, whose lives were shaped by her wisdom and generosity. Her home was always open, always filled with family.

She is survived by her daughter, Darcell Dance (Derwin Cunningham); her son, Dale Mason; granddaughter, Aasha Benton (Devin Hopkins); sisters, Lorene Wilder and Charlene Andrews; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her life partner Lee Lenard; siblings Leonard, Dorothy Jean, Adie Bell, Jewel Edward, Geneva, and an infant baby girl.

Gracie lived by the principle she often shared: “Always treat everyone the way you want to be treated.” That golden rule guided a life filled with kindness, dignity, and service.

In honor of her lifelong dedication to education and community, donations may be made in her name to the Gracie Mason Scholarship Fund. Checks may be made payable to Piedmont Rose Connection, PO Box 30915, Portland, OR 97294.

Gracie Evelyn Mason will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever cherished.