Emma Gene (Raeford) Mason

Ms. Emma Gene Raeford Mason, daughter of the late James “Jim” Raeford and Sadie Foushee Raeford was born September 8, 1928, and departed this life on May 23, 2022.  

She graduated from Lee County Training School (later renamed W.B Wicker School) in Sanford, North Carolina. She attended NC A&T State University. 

Emma married her lifelong love “Mason'', Phillip Mason 1st Sgt US Amry in 1965. Emma was predeceased by her loving husband on October 20, 1982. 

She was preceded in death also by her parents, Sadie Foushee Raeford and James “Jim” Raeford; her brothers Paul, Ernest, and George and her sisters, Flossie and Clautine; and her step-daughter, Joyce Mason Goode.

She is survived by one son, Marcus Philip Mason of Sanford, NC; one daughter, Machelle Braxton (Bryan) of Madison, CT; one brother, Sherman Raeford of Wendell, NC; two grand-daughters, Bryana Braxton and Lauryn Braxton of Madison, CT; one step-son, Wayne Mason (Vanessa) of  Maggie Valley NC; a beloved sister-in-law, Sarah M Jackson of Sanford, NC; her dear friend, Mrs. Almeta Howard of Sanford, NC and a host of very special nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Emma retired from Coty (a division of Pfizer), where she worked in accounting. In 1974 she stepped into First Calvary Baptist Church on Fields Drive when it first rose, joining in 1976. She loved this church and its members serving many roles as a Missionary, President of the Senior Missionaries, Trustee, Treasurer, Deacon, and Deacon Emeritus. Beloved throughout her family as Aunt Genie, and Mrs. Mason valued family first and the most, devoted to their caregiving and wellbeing. As a lifelong resident of Lee County, she was a progressive woman who first registered to vote on May 14, 1960, five years before the 1965 Voting Rights Act ended North Carolina’s Jim Crow past. Though she was never the first to seek the limelight, whenever her people, community, neighborhood, or family were affected at public meetings and the ballot box she stood up and made herself heard. For this, even though she never sought self-recognition, she was blessed with countless friends, admired by all who met her for her kindness, dignity, and impeccable style, the benchmark of a Lady.

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