Marie Jeweh Mason

Mrs. Marie Jeweh Mason, age 93, passed away December 4, 2023. Marie J. Mason, daughter of Reverend William Syes, Sr. and Mrs. Susan Syes, was born on a sunny afternoon on September 24, 1930 on a mat behind her grandmother’s house in Lloydsville, Marshall Territory, Liberia. At age 13, Marie met Miss Gladys East, a missionary from Suehn, at the Baptist Mission Church Convention in Marshall. Marie asked her for a scholarship to attend Suehn Mission and Miss East agreed. Marie attended Suehn as a self-supporting, work-study boarder through the ninth grade. The Mission mandated full-time work for Marie, who only attended classes on alternating years to pay her fees. Marie earned her tuition by cooking and cleaning for visitors and special guests. During the years she attended classes, Marie worked as needed, even if it required her to leave a class. Under these terms, Marie managed to complete 3 grades of coursework over a span of 6 years. Miss Nancy Hoff, a teacher at Suehn, advised Marie to leave Suehn. Miss Hoff offered Marie a place at her home in Robertsport. Marie agreed that leaving Suehn was in her best interest; she moved to Robertsport in February of 1952. Marie enrolled in the Robertsport High School, graduated in 1954, and was awarded with a scholarship by Episcopal Bishop B. W. Harris to attend Cuttington University. During her time in Robertsport, Marie fell in love with Melvin Mason, from Arthington. Melvin had recently graduated from Cuttington College & Divinity School and he planned to attend Yale University for a master’s degree. Upon completing his master’s degree, Melvin returned to Liberia and married Marie on July 19, 1956. Marie received her B.Sc. in Education from Cuttington in 1962. She started her career as a teacher at the G.W. Gibson Elementary School (Sinyea School) in the early 1960’s. In 1963 Marie left to obtain her Masters of Science in Education Administration from Michigan State University. She returned to Liberia in 1965 and continued a career in education which spanned more than 30 years. In 1966, Marie was recruited to serve in the Bong County Supervisor of Schools Office as the Director of Teacher Education. Marie served as Principal of Gboveh High School in Gbarnga from 1971-1974. There, she improved the education standard of the school and built a state of the art science lab with the assistance of Dr. K.C. John, Professor of Chemistry at Cuttington. As a result, Gboveh students consistently scored highest on the National Examination nationwide. In 1974, Marie was appointed Assistant Supervisor of Schools for Bong County; she later became the Chief Education Officer in 1977. After the military coup in 1980, Marie continued serving as CEO of Bong County. She was appointed Senior Regional Supervisor, North Central Region in 1982, supervising the CEO’s of Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties. Marie’s work impacted the educational system of over 33% of the nation. Marie retired from government service in 1986. As a result of the Liberian Civil War, Marie relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. in 1993, where she earned her Teacher’s Certification, and taught in the Kansas City School System until retiring in 1996. In 2022, Gboveh High School Alumni Association awarded Marie their Distinguished Service Award and Cuttington University honored her by co-naming its College of Education “The Melvin and Marie Mason College of Education.” Marie’s faith in God was unshakable, evidenced by how she raised her family and lived a life that reflected her religious values. She was a virtuous woman who supported her family by homesteading as a seamstress, hairdresser, and a fruit and vegetables farmer. Marie was also a pastry chef and caterer. In her later years, Marie operated a motel, a restaurant, raised livestock (pigs, chickens and cows) and ran the family’s rubber farm. Marie had a strong work ethic and an independent spirit. She rose early and stayed busy all day. Marie designed and built a home by herself, managed the design and construction of the Yeye Sumo School in Back Bush, Arthington, and managed the family finances. She drove her own cars and pickups, was even known to change her own tires. Marie endlessly advocated for the rights of others. As a humanitarian, her contributions far exceeded her accomplishments as an administrator. She spent her life serving and giving to others. Marie opened her home and served as a guardian to many children, both raising and educating them. She mentored numerous women, providing advice and resources. In the Gbarnga area, Marie also took food and supplies to the elderly on Saturdays. She used her influence to get water and light connected to their homes and to get them medical care. Marie used her personal resources to set up programs that taught scores of young women tasks such as cooking, sewing, hairdressing, and other skills that they could use to earn a living. She provided personal financial assistance to numerous students and used her influence to ensure scores of scholarships to deserving students. To her thousands of former students and colleagues, she is affectionately known as “Ma Mason.” Marie is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dr. Melvin J. Mason, President Emeritus, Cuttington University; her children: Mr. Andrew D. Mason, Mr. Fulkra J. Mason, Dr. Ansu G. Mason (Marilyn), Mr. Lami A. Mason (Dr. Jestina), and Alice Mason; nine grandchildren: Gerald, Daniel, Miatta, Latina, Annamarie, Lami Jr., Janjay, Justinian, and Deserèe; nine great grandchildren: Aliyah, Cameron, Justin, Khadijah, Joshua, Malik, Michael Shane, Mason, Marlee and a host of other relatives. A service of celebration will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 1 o'clock in the Chapel of Parrott Funeral Home. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at Parrott Funeral Home, 770-964-4800.

Marie Jeweh Mason

September 24, 1930 - December 4, 2023