Dorothy Mae Mason was born February 1, 1929 in Carbon Hill, Alabama, to Ms. Lillie Bell Birchfield. She was raised by John and Jenny Mae Scott. She has six siblings – one sister, Jimmie Lou (Hudson) Taylor, and five brothers, Henry Scott, Jack Hudson, Albert Hudson, Charles Hudson and Richard Hudson. She married Jess W. Mason shortly after he returned from serving in World War II. From this union five children were born: Omar Abdul-Khaaliq (nee Warren Douglas Mason), John Franklin Mason, Eugene Cortez Mason, Gregory Jay Mason, and Lateesa Thamani Ward (nee Belinda Joyce Mason). Dorothy was devoted to God and her faith, and raised her children in church.

Dorothy was a strong mother and loved, without measure, all of her children. She was also a mother to the friends of her children, the children of her friends, neighborhood children, and many more. An avid reader and prolific writer, she was also a lifelong student. Her favorite subjects were math and English.

Dorothy had many talents. She assisted her children and grandchildren academically, especially with math and English. She was adamant that her children that her children would be proficient in spoken and written English – so that issue would not hinder their place in the world. She explained that while her own high school education was initially cut-short, she was privileged to obtain a formidable early educational foundation from extremely talented and devoted African American teachers in the south, including Rosenwald High School in Harlan, Kentucky. Dorothy never stopped working on her own education, obtaining a high school diploma later in life and attending college in Michigan and Minnesota.

Dorothy was an amazing cook and baker. Her gifts as a seamstress were unmatched, except by her sister-in-law Alice Mason, who Dorothy always said taught her how to sew and had skills far exceeding her own. She worked as a professional seamstress for many years, and always made her children's clothes and coats when we were young, and for Lateesa well into adulthood.

Dorothy was committed to bettering life for everyone. She was tough, a coal miner's daughter, and never backed down to injustice. She encouraged others to continuously educate themselves and was a social activist engaged in the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movements beginning in the early 1950's. Dorothy worked hard to ensure that communities of color were able to participate in government and political affairs. She was active in campaigns of many state and local candidates in Michigan; and was also instrumental in initiating and organizing the movement for Black Minnesotans to participate in both blood and bone marrow drives in the 90's.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Henry, Jack, Albert, and Richard. She is survived by her sister Jimmie, her brother Charles, her five children, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and friends.

Visitation for Dorothy Mason will be Friday, December 16, 2022 from 10 am until 11 am at the Harlan Funeral Home.

Funeral services will follow at 11 am with Elder Terry Turner officiating. Interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery, Keith, Kentucky.

Arrangements entrusted to Harlan Funeral Home.