W. Jay Mason

Wilmer Jeremiah (W. Jay) Mason age 81 of Ellisville, Mississippi went home to be with the Lord on November 21, 2014. Services will be held at Memory Chapel in Laurel on Monday, November 24th at 10:00 am with burial to follow at Serenity Gardens in Waynesboro Mississippi. Visitation will be on Sunday evening November 23rd from 5 to 8pm at Memory Chapel. Mr. Mason is preceded in death by his parents, C. P. and Ethel Mason; and brothers, Julian Mason, Dan Mason and C. P. Mason Jr. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Carolyn Lightsey Mason of Ellisville. His three children Karen Mason Holloway (Glenn) of Soso, Jay Speed Mason (Donna) of Laurel, and Terri Mason Kelly of Ellisville. His five grandchildren Manderly Holloway Hill (Chris) of Soso, Heather Mason Tolbert of Laurel, Cari Mason Windham (Jason) of Laurel, Jillian Holloway of Madison, and Mason Kelly (Sheri) of Ellisville. Eight great-grandchildren; Jackson and Andrew Hill of Soso, Hunter and Gage Buchanan, Bryson Tolbert, Tyler Leggett, Hallee Kate and Graton Windham, all of Laurel. His sister, Margret Mason Duvall of Waynesboro and a large host of nieces and nephews. Mr. Mason was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ellisville and was a Gideon. Mr. Mason spent his adult life coaching, teaching, and educating children. He proudly served the communities’ and student bodies’ of Sandersville School, Runnelstown School and West Jones High School during his 32 years as a coach and principal. He also served a term as a Jones County School District Superintendent of Education. Those who knew Mr. Mason knew that he was also passionate about his family and his hobbies of fishing and deer hunting. He was avid member of the Dixie Bass Master Club, where he served in many capacities. He was also a member of the Southern Bass Fishing Team Trail. In the fall of the year, he could always be found at his farm looking for the big bucks and shelling pecans. He will be lovingly remembered by his family as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Pastors Paul Brashier and Tommy Brill will conduct the services with Albert Short, Dickie Welborn, Jimmy Thomas, Lonnie Cochran, Bo Tidwell, and Stanley Keyes serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Keble Luter and all the members of the Dixie Bass Masters.

W. Jay Mason

October 23, 1933 - November 22, 2014