Ruth Alma Mason

Obituary for Ruth Alma Mason

Ruth A. Mason Ruth Alma Mason born July 5, 1929 in Newark New Jersey the fourth child of five of Nathan and Rose E Lowe. Wife of late Nathaniel H Mason Sr., Mother of Douglas N Mason of Limerick PA and Nathaniel H Mason Jr of College Grove TN. Step Mother of Alice Benjamin of East Orange NJ. She grew up in Newark NJ and graduated from West Side high school in 1947. She was baptized at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Newark. She had a large extended family of siblings and cousins, as well as her beloved older half-sister and brother of Columbus OH, Polly Pruitt and Frank Lowe.

Ruth had a natural ability for facts and figures, accordingly she chose to leverage those skills in accounting and short hand. As a young lady of color, she pursued one of the few avenues of professionalism available at the time, studying stenography she became a secretary. Hence she began her career at New Jersey Bell telephone. As a talented professional woman, she left New Jersey Bell telephone to pursue a passion for hairstyling. After obtaining a real estate license, she attended cosmetology school and became a licensed beautician. If present, many a neighborhood girls would recall my mother’s hairstyling in preparation for their meaningful events or occasions. She soon transitioned back to a secretarial role, initially at New Jersey State Unemployment agency. Later she ascended to her career defining post in New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office as legal secretary for the Director of Civil Rights. Here she engaged in and facilitated many landmark legal proceedings. Eventually encountering a future Supreme Court Justice, which she held in disdain. Retiring 1991, she study communications at Montclair State College.

Personally, Ruth met and married our father Nathaniel Mason Sr. in December 1958. They first settled in Newark and finally in Montclair NJ in February 1966. She resided there for 32 years rearing two sons. In Montclair, she built a life around enduring friendships; became an active member of St Paul Baptist church; fulfilled a passion for travel, both domestic and international. My mother and father enjoyed raising two boys, instilling wisdom, strength and perseverance in preparation for an ever-evolving world. In 1998, after the passing of her husband in 1989, Mom moved to Limerick PA, joining her eldest son (Douglas) and soon begin the next chapter of her life as “Granny” to grandchildren Kyle and Natalie Mason. After 18 years of doting affection (sometimes smothering) she moved to College Grove TN in 2016. Joining her youngest son (Nat) and his growing family, there she became known as “Grandma” to her grandson “Mason” (Nathaniel 3rd) and at times ‘overruled’ parental guidance in his favor. Frequently, calling on her daughter-in-law (Deanna) for around-town outings in Franklin, Deanna would muse to her favorite ‘dance partner’… “Let’s roll Ruth!”

She survived by her loving family: Douglas and Wendy Mason Nathaniel Jr. and Deanna Mason Alice and Theopolis Benjamin

Grandchildren: Kyle Mason Natalie Mason Nathaniel Mason III Derrick Benjamin Darrell Benjamin. 3-Nieces and 5-Nephews.

Funeral service 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Waters Funeral Chapel, 1408 Columbia Ave. Franklin, TN 37064.

Interment Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Fairmount Cemetery, 620 Central Ave., Newark, NJ 07107

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