Roger Mason, age 65, of Middlesboro, Kentucky went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 22, 2014. Roger fought a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis and Black Lung Disease. Roger was born in Middlesboro, KY, on January 2, 1949, and was raised in Fork Ridge, Tennessee. He is the son of the late Lena Virginia "June" and Caleb Joshua "Chalk' Mason (Middlesboro, KY). Roger was a loving husband, a wonderful father and a faithful servant for God. He worked in the coal industry for more than twenty years and then owned a construction business and built custom-designed homes until his illness. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed deer and turkey hunting, horse riding and camping. Roger accepted Christ as His Savior at the age of 21 and began to serve the Lord at his dearly loved church, Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church. Roger served as Sunday School Director for more than 40 years, as well as, Deacon, Trustee, Vacation Bible School Director, Assistant Treasurer, Church Bus Driver, Member of the Church Choir and member and/or leader of various committees within the church.
Roger was preceded in death by the following beloved family members: Three sisters and their spouses: Delores and Ralph Suttle. (Middlesboro, KY) Norma and Ray Spade, Jr. (Babe) (Ewing, VA); Billie Jean and Billy Joe Mike and Jack Fretwell, the father of her children. (Middlesboro, KY) Nephew (in-law): Britt Slusher. (Middlesboro, KY)
Roger will be sadly missed by his surviving family members: His loving wife of 48 years, Carolyn Helton Mason, and devoted daughter, Regina Mason. His only brother, Jerry Mason. and spouse (Sheryl Mae) (Middlesboro, KY). His sister-in-law, who was like a sister to him, Pauline Mason (Middlesboro, KY). His beloved Nieces and Nephews and their spouses: Sherry and (Cecil) Powers (Ewing, Va.); Pamela "Pam" and (Ronnie) Marsee (Middlesboro, KY); Steve and (Willa Mae) Mason (Middlesboro, KY); Vickie and (Calvin) Siler (Middlesboro, KY ); Jackie Keck of Harrogate, Tenn.;Margaret and (Tony) Jones (Harrogate, TN); Judy D. Suttle (Middlesboro, KY); Edward "Eddie" and (Jennifer) Suttle (Middlesboro, KY); Michael and (Sherrie) Spade (Ewing VA); Gary Spade (Ewing, VA) and Angie Spade (Middlesboro, KY); Mark and (Jennifer) Spade (Ewing, VA) Glen and (Samantha "Sam") Wooten (Ewing, VA). A host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, Church Family and friends are left to grieve his passing and special friend Madge "Mamaw" Earle and family. He is also survived by his pets: Bear, Beau and Gigi.
Also surviving are very special friends that assisted in the health care of Roger during his illness: Tri-State Family Medical Clinic – Brandon Roark, ARNP, Dr. Cheung Shin, MD, Sherry Mason Powers, Rhonda Messer, Shelia Caldwell, Rebecca Simpson, and nurses Sherry Spade and Carrie Noah; Vanderbilt Medical Center Pulmonary Group: Dr. James Loyd, MD, Wendi Mason, ARNP, Kathleen Kinser, AFNP. ARH Home HealthCare: Vicki Surgener, RN., and Cheri Duncan, RN; Lincare – Hobart Whitehead; Ladies at ARH Pharmacy: Linda Day, Irreta Castle, Olivia Massengill, Natasha Fuson, Kathy Adams, RPh, and Shawnessy Horton, RPh; Scott and Jenny Marcum – Family Drug Pharmacy. The wonderful and caring staff at Middlesboro ARH – ER Department, 3rd Floor Nurses and Staff and Respiratory Department. Also, special niece, Sherry Mason Powers, who worked diligently to ensure that Roger had excellent health care and was able to spend his remaining days at home with his family.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 25th, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church, 225 South 38th Street, Middlesboro, KY. Funeral Services will begin at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, January 26th at Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Greene, officiating, and Marcum Brogan assisting. Interment will follow in Green Hills. Special Music will be provided by Dorothy Buell, Dennis Howard, and the Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church Choir, Pianist, Pat Hamlett and Organist, Teresa Brown.
Pallbearers will be: Kenny Hatmaker, Dan Bayless, Paul Hensley, John Epperson, John Coatney, Charles Rector, James Sutton, Scott DeBusk and Jay Hamlett. Honorary pallbearers are Rev. Stephen Earle, Ronnie Moyers, Ogle Oxford and Lawrence "Junior" Rowlett.
In lieu of flowers, Roger requested that donations be made to his Church he loved so much in order to continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and build the kingdom of God: Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church- Sunday School Fund, Middlesboro, KY, 40965, phone 606-248-5798