Obituary of Catherine B. Mason

Catherine Della Buck Mason was born May 5, 1919, the fourth of five children to Julia Erma Estelle Buck and Clarence H. Buck, in Courtland, Virginia. She entered the gates of Heaven on December 1, 2012. In 1923, with her family, she moved to Norfolk, Virginia. "Kitty", as she was affectionately called by her family and friends attended the public schools of Norfolk, graduating from the Booker T. Washington High School. She also attended the Norfolk Division of Virginia Union, now Norfolk State University. After graduating from high school, Catherine moved to Washington, DC. Her travels led her to Atlantic City before moving to Elmira, New York. She spent the last four years of her life in Highland Village, Texas with her daughter Monica and her family. Catherine began her work for the Master at an early age in the First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Virginia and joined Monumental Baptist Church, Elmira, New York under Christian experience in 1955 when the Rev. Latter Thomas was pastor. As a strong woman of Christian faith, Catherine served the Lord at Monumental Baptist Church as a member of the usher board, auditing, nominating and budget committees and as financial secretary, church treasurer and trustee. Catherine was the widow of Jacob Riley Mason and has two daughters, Denise and Monica. When her daughters were young, Catherine encouraged their interests and inspired their growth by volunteering as a leader for the Brownies, Girl Scouts and 4-H. Her various jobs included working at a dry cleaners, resale clothing/furniture store, home health aide and caring for foster children. She was most notably known for her work as a seamstress. "Kitty" was preceded in death by her parents; her twin sister Araminta Foster and three other siblings, Clarence H. Buck Jr., Bernice Shambry and Julie E. Buck and her nephew Roland L. Shambry Jr. (Edna). She leaves to rejoice in her home going two daughters, Denise Y. Mason and Monica L. Glenn (James), five grandchildren; Jamie, Jacquelyn, Jordan, Samantha and Joshua Glenn; two nieces, Carlotta Taylor and Julia A. Senior; a nephew, Wilbur Foster Jr.; special friend, Charles T. Bright and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.