Fannie Johanna Mason passed away at her home in Statesville, North Carolina on Monday, April 22, 2013 after an illness. I write my mothers' story with much sadness for the loss of our family's matriarch. Her story began as the fourth child of five born to Johanna and Louis Kaufman in Linden, New Jersey on December 14, 1929. Her German/Russian heritage gave her great cultural strengths for the coming years growing up in Newark in the German section with other immigrant families sharing the same struggles. Johanna, her mother and my grandmother, was a woman of strong character and her love of her family was evident in all who met her. She was one of the kindest people I have ever known and she taught her children about love and loyalty and hard work. Fannie is survived by her sister Dorothy Rash, Wall Township, NJ. These were strengths my mother brought with her to our family and all who knew her as well. Fannie was wife to my father, Ralph, who called her "His Bride" throughout their marriage of 67 years, mom to my sisters Nancy Ervin, Jane Lundell and husband Phil Lundell and myself Karen Mason, mema to her seven grandchildren, Melissa, Jason, Bryan, James, Ashley, Lauren and Jacqueline, sister to her four siblings, Aunt Faye to her many nieces and nephews and friend to the many people that she knew throughout her 83 years. She will be missed and remembered for her courage, compassion and love of family and friends throughout her life. A funeral service will be conducted 10:00 am Monday, April 29, 2013 at Rocky Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Henry Cook, Rev. Lee Boggs and Rev. Ervel Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday afternoon from 2:00 until 4:00 pm at Nicholson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers Fannie requested that memorials and gifts be made to Rocky Hill Baptist Church, 823 Mountain View Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be made to the family at
www.nicholsonfunerals.com
and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Fannie J. Mason.