Mrs. Mary Joyce Granade Mason

Born Mary Joyce Granade on July 21, 1943 in Jackson, AL to Calhoun and Sophie Powell Granade, Died January 11 from complications associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s in Fancy Gap, VA, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Alison Mason, her two blessed daughters and their spouses Valerie Tarver Burke (Julian T. Burke II) of Alexandria, VA and Julia Tarver Mason Wood (Peter Wood) of New York, and her beloved grandchildren, Samuel Anderton Burke, Julia Thompson Burke, Amelia Josephine Wood, Hudson Jeremy Wood, and Archer Joyce Wood. She graduated from Leroy High School in 1961, and in 1965 obtained her B.S. in Nursing from the University of Alabama, where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She later received a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was a pioneer and a leading force in her chosen field of nursing and psychiatric care. In addition to serving as the Director of Nursing at Huntsville Hospital (Huntsville, AL) and Providence Hospital (Mobile, AL), she also taught nursing at the University of Alabama where she ultimately led the school as acting Dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. After moving to North Carolina, she worked for the state’s Board of Nursing, retiring in time to welcome her first grandchild in 1998. Gifted with a beautiful voice, she devoted her time, voice, and talents to the Episcopal churches she attended over her life: Church of the Nativity (Huntsville, AL), St. Mathias (Tuscaloosa, AL), St. John’s (Mobile, AL), St. Stephen’s (Durham, NC), Ascension (Montgomery, AL) and St. Paul’s (Alexandria, VA.). A former camper at Camp MerriMac in Black Mountain, NC she loved cooking, gardening, playing the piano, and walking in the woods. She was fiercely loyal to the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Democratic party (in equal measure), and she was a devout member of the Companions of the Holy Cross. She joyfully devoted her life to caring for others, and cherished above all, time with her family. A Memorial Service will be held on Mon. Jan 16, at 10 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA. In lieu of daisies, please consider making a donation to The St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Foundation (stpaulsalexandria.com) or Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org). Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.