Joe Samuel Mason, Sr., 79 of Charlotte, affectionately called Deacon Mason by many, transitioned to his heavenly home on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, NC.  He was born in Fort Mill, SC on May 28, 1942.  He was the fourth child born to the late Wilson Mason, Sr. and Bessie Choate Mason.

Joe was a proud graduate of Plato Price High School Class of 1961.  This was the last class in the school's history.  He excelled in mathematics and was one of the student bus drivers who chauffeured his fellow peers to and from school.  He served as President of the Plato Price Alumni Association for a year and looked forward to every reunion event.

At an early age, Joe was a member of O'Zion AME Zion Church, Charlotte, NC.  In adulthood, he became a member of Saint Paul Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC.  In 1969, he joined Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church.  In 1974, Joe Mason became one of the founding members of First Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church.  He was elected to the first Deacon's Ministry and served as the first chairman.  His Christian leadership as Deacon Chairperson, in service to God, the church and mankind was for more than forty years.  Deacon Mason's leadership maintained and sustained First Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church through the tenure of several pastors.  He also served on the Men's Ministry, the Sunday School Department and the Transportation Ministry.  His love for driving energized him to be a bus/van driver with great enthusiasm, and he considered himself the church's best driver ever.  In 2019, after many years of tireless service as a deacon, he was honored as Deacon Emeritus.  That was a moment that will be forever cherished by his family.

Joe was a diligent and dedicated employee at Sonoco (formerly Package Products Company) for decades, retiring in 2007 as Transportation Manager.  Having a passion for driving and wanting to stay busy, he became a part time delivery driver for Passion Flowers for a few years.  Joe loved bowling (won countless trophies), baseball, playing cards (especially Bid Whist) with friends, joking with people, and watching his favorites on television Family Feud and NFL team the Dallas Cowboys.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers, Wilson Mason, Jr, Johnny "Butch" Mason and J.B. Ervin; sister, Linda Mason Runion; brother-in-law, Lyle Runion; son-in-law, Minister Rodney Brice and great-granddaughter, Jenna.

Joe leaves cherished memories to his daughters, Pamela L. Mason, Charlotte, NC and Valerie M. Brice, Clover, SC; son/caregiver, Joe S. Mason, Jr., Charlotte, NC; five grandsons, Ryan of Harrisburg, PA, Bryan, Julius (raised in the home) both of Charlotte, NC, Ethan, and Rylan both of Fort Mill, SC; five great-grandchildren, Savannah and Xavier, both of Harrisburg, PA, Julius "Deuce" II, Charlotte, NC, Jace and Nizair, both of Harrisburg, PA; sister, Mattie Mason and brother, Robert Mason, both of Charlotte, NC; a devoted niece, Felicia Mason, Charlotte, NC; sister-in-love, Margie Doster, Charlotte, NC; extended family and neighbors, the Bell Family; mother of his children, Willie M. James, Charlotte, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends.