Cleo Fay Mason, first child of the late Newton and Irma Goens, was born on October 7, 1924, and grew up in the brick farmhouse in Long Town, Ohio, on old Rural Route #3, now Stingley Road, in Darke County, Ohio, the first Northern community of former and freed slaves. She had three siblings, the late Mary Frances, Duane and Harold.
She completed her first eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse, located one mile west of the farm. She then attended Palestine High School from 1938 and graduated as class Valedictorian on May 10, 1942.
Cleo worked in the Budget & Fiscal Office of Wright Patterson Air Force Base from September 1942 until August 1952 as typist, accounting clerk, and budget analyst. She attended evening classes during that time at the University of Dayton, taking classes in business and accounting.
In 1952, she married, the late Chauncey M. Mason, a widower with two small girls, Cheryl and Cynthia, and moved to Columbus, Ohio. From this union was born a daughter, Carol, and a son, Chauncey. She was a stay-at-home Mom and a homemaker for the next six years. She joined St. Paul A.M.E Church shortly after moving to Columbus and raised her children to love Jesus, as she had been taught by her parents.
In 1958, Cleo was reemployed by the Federal Government as a clerk-typist and accountant. She was honored at a ceremony in Washington D.C. for her quality accounting abilities. On June 30, 1985, she retired from the position of Deputy Accounting & Finance Officer of the Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC).
In the mid-1960’s Cleo and Chauncey were divorced, and she became a single parent of her four children. She encouraged their talents and skills, raised them to be successful independent individuals, and sent all of them to college. (Daughter Cynthia (aka Khalidah) died in 2002.)
After retiring, Cleo increased her active church work. She served as Treasurer of the Trustee Board, the championship St. Paul AME bowling league, and The Unity Circle, a women’s church organization. She remained a lifelong student of the Bible and was a Sunday School Teacher at St. Paul A.M.E. She prepared the Church accounting reports, maintained the financial records for a carpet company, and also prepared tax reports for individuals.
Cleo’s hobbies were reading, bowling, traveling, and babysitting four of her nine grandchildren. She really enjoyed traveling and spent a week in Bermuda one summer and traveled by train across Canada from Toronto to Victoria in 1989.
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, nine days short of her 99th birthday, Cleo transitioned from this Earth to Heaven, where she now lives in the joy of the Lord. She leaves to cherish her life, her three remaining children, Cheryl Mason-Dorman (Alfred), Carol Mason-Loubon, and Chauncey M. Mason (Daphine); nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Cleo’s funeral service will be handled by Marlan Gary Funeral Home and will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at St. Paul A.M.E Church, 639 East Long Street, Columbus. The viewing will be at 10:00 AM with the funeral 11:00 AM.
Internment will take place on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM, in Greenlawn Cemetery.
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To the Family
Praying for you as you mourn the death of your Matriarch Mrs. Cleo Mason. She was a very gentle lady and will be missed by the membership of St. Paul A.M.E Church. Rest in Paradise Mrs. Mason.
Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are extended to the MASON family and friends. We will always remember and cherish Ms. Mason for her gentle and kind spirit. Our prayer is that you (all) have God’s peace and comfort during this difficult time. Ms.Mason will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to have known her. May her soul always rest in perfect peace.
My condolences to the family of Cleo Mason. Especially Cheryl, Carol, and Chauncey. She was a great woman.
I bowled with Cleo for many years.She was always a loving and gentle lady. Rest in Pease with the Angels. Clarine Fain
To Cheryl, Carol and Chauncey, may the peace of God and the memories of your dear mother bring joy and comfort. Love cousin Kim and Earl Lawson.
It is with sincere sadness and condolence that I extend my sympathy to you and your family during your time of bereavement. May God bless you and your family amen.
Peace and comfort to the Mason family. Your mother was an amazing, strong and wonderful women.
Cheryl – we’re so sorry for your and the family’s loss. Your mother led an outstanding life of love, fortitude and commitment. With our deepest love, condolences and prayers, Carmen & John
“Because I could not stop for death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves and immortality.” Emily Dickinson
Mrs. Mason is in that great veteran generation of St. Paul mothers and nurturers to which our mom (returned to Heavenly Home in 2014) also belonged.
Peace and Blessings to Chauncy, Carol, Cheryl also the decendents of Cynthia (fellow spiritual sister Khalidah) and to all those who loved Mrs. Mason.
The Family of the late Mrs. Lorraine Wakefield
We did not get the opportunity to meet Ms, Mason in person, but she has a wonderful Legacy of Love and Family. Please know that we are praying for your strength and comfort during this tender time. Let the memories that you hold so dear bring you Peace in the days to come.
With Love and Friendship,
Delmar and Renee Wearing
My Condolence to the family of Ms. Cleo F. Mason. Praying to God for the Blessing in helping the family threw this sad time.
My love and support go out to my cousins as Cleo leaves this world for eternal peace. I will always remember the days visiting her home as a child, and having those great Halloween nights were the highlight of my young life! She was someone who lived every year with gust0. It was amazing that she drove herself to church and bowling even as she moved into her 90s. You are blessed to have had her with you for so many years.