Sandra Jean Mason

On December 26, 2020, Sandra Jean Mason of Moore, South Carolina, left this world and her earthly family suddenly and unexpectedly. Sandy, as she is known to most of us, was born on the 9th day of December, 1942, in Charleston, West Virginia, to G.C. “Jack” and Ruth Humphreys; their firstborn of three daughters. As a young child, she was just one year and one day old when her father went off to fight for his country in WWII. During his absence, she became known to the family as “baby Sandy.” Through him, she became a true patriot in her own right. She recently completed her final draft of a book to be published entitled “Baby Sandy” telling the poignant, heart wrenching story of a young soldier as told through the eyes of his young daughter, Sandy. She was committed to telling this story about the love of God, family, and country as well as survival, strength, and courage. Sandy graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in Charleston, West Virginia. Wanting to be a nurse from her earliest years, she fulfilled that dream when she graduated from Charleston General School of Nursing in 1963. She was the epitome of a nurse; white uniform, white shoes, cap and navy blue cape! She never forgot how to be a nurse. Caring, compassionate, knowledgeable, and hard-working, all skills that she used literally until the last day of her life while caring for her husband, Ted. She held positions as a staff nurse, staff development educator, director of nursing, and lastly, as a public health nurse from which she retired. While attending nursing school, she completed a psychiatric nursing rotation at Chestnut Lodge in Rockville, Maryland. It was in Rockville, Maryland, that she met the love of her life, Garvin Ted Mason, a handsome, southern gentleman from Spartanburg, South Carolina, who just happened to be stationed in Rockville, Maryland, as a member of the United States Army. They swept each other off their feet! The two fell in love and were married on November 22, 1963. They resided for a short time in Charleston, West Virginia, and relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where they raised their two children, Mark and Jennifer. Sandy quickly became a southern “mama!” Sandy and Ted just celebrated the 57th anniversary of their marriage on November 22, 2020! God gave Sandy many, many gifts and talents including a precocious voice as a young child and natural beauty inside and out. She was a majorette during junior high school at Lincoln Junior High School in Charleston, West Virginia. During high school, she sang in the choral group and as a soloist in the All County Chorus for Kanawha County Schools and performed in school theatre productions as well. Her beautiful voice could always be heard singing in church and she loved the song, “I Need Thee Every Hour.” During the Miss Charleston Pageant in 1963, she sang “Teach Me Tonight” and became a runner-up to Miss Charleston. She played the piano having studied at the Ruda School of Music in Charleston, West Virginia, and for many years was a pianist for West Side Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Sandy’s talents were not limited to singing and playing the piano. She was a gifted seamstress and made everything from draperies to COVID masks for family and friends. She often crocheted hats and booties for newborn babies as gifts for their entry into this world. Decorating was another passion. Sandy spent hours making sure everything “tied together” to make her home a home. She was a fabulous cook, making many favorite dishes for her family over the years. She loved the beach and was funny, witty, fun loving, and loved to laugh even at the silliest of things. Sandy held the titles of daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, and friend. The title that she is most proud of, however, is Christian. Her love of our Lord as her Savior had no limits and her faith was unwavering even in her darkest of trials including the death of her firstborn grandson, Christopher, who also died unexpectedly at the young age of twenty-two. She was a totally devoted wife to her husband, Ted. As a mother to her loving children, and grandmother to her grandchildren, no one was more proud of them, their accomplishments and successes. They were her “heart” as she would often say. She loved them without measure. Sandy was completely sure of who she was as a child of God and where she was going when all of life’s work on earth was complete. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Jack and Ruth Humphreys; paternal grandparents, G.C. and Isabelle Humphreys; maternal grandmother, Stella Ballard; and beloved grandson, Christopher Adam Cothran; as well as several aunts and uncles with whom she shared a mutual adoration. She is survived by her cherished husband, Ted; her son, Mark Mason, (Melodie); her daughter, Jennifer Cothran (Kyle); grandchildren, Lyndsie Mason, Mason Cothran, MacKenzie Cothran and Noah Cothran; great-granddaughter, Waverlie Mason all of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She is also survived by her sisters, Debbie Allen (Charlie) of VanWyck, South Carolina and Barbara Utt of Charleston, West Virginia; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. She was loved by all who knew her! Sandy, for us you left this world too soon and too quickly. For God, you are exactly on time. Well done good and faithful servant. You have earned your crown! For the Lord will be your lasting Light, and your God will be your Glory. – Isaiah 60:19 In the midst of the corona virus pandemic, the family will not be receiving friends or holding an open funeral or memorial service. Join the family via live stream at www.facebook.com/dunbarlivestream as they gather privately to celebrate Sandy’s life on Thursday, December 31st at 2:00 p.m.