Lavenia Rae Cox Mason

Lawrenceville, Georgia – Lavenia Rae Cox Mason, formerly of Lowell, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, at Delmar Gardens Senior Living at the age of 82. Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Clifford Pringle Cox and Betty Holland Cox. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marvin H. Mason, Jr.

Rae is survived by her four stepdaughters, Margaret Brady (John), Catherine Sharp (Brian), Melissa Wiedeman (Justin), and Elizabeth Totten (Sean), as well as nine cherished grandchildren.

She grew up in Gaston County, N.C., and was educated in the state’s public schools. Following graduation from high school she attended Appalachian State Teacher’s College (now Appalachian State University) where she pursued a degree in education. Her career path was interrupted due to the declining health of her parents. She returned home to Gaston County in order to care for them and over the years held various positions in the Gaston County area, including service as a dietician in the county school system.

As an infant she was baptized in the Presbyterian Church and was a long time member of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Gastonia. As a teenager on a working service week at the Presbytery’s youth camp she met the love of her life, Marvin “Marty” Mason, Jr. In later years, following the loss of her mother, Marty and Rae reconnected, were married and shared many happy years together in the Atlanta area.

Rae was a gentle, kind, thoughtful, caring and generous woman with a warm spirit. She loved children, animals, her neighbors and adored her husband. She was talented in needlepoint, cross stitch and crocheting, creating countless handmade gifts for family, friends and her community. She often delivered food to elderly neighbors and weekly, on trash pick-up days, could be found returning receptacles from neighbors’ street fronts to their houses. Whether through a thoughtful gesture or handcrafted keepsake, Rae found joy in giving to others. She never met a stranger and was deeply loved by all who knew her.

A graveside memorial service will be held on June 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Mebane, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Black Mountain Home for Children, 80 Lake Enden Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711, New Hope Presbyterian Church, 4357 S. New Hope Rd., #8454, Gastonia, NC 28056 or Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church, 252 N. Washington Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.