Memorial Service, Grace United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, September 30, 1995, William A. Mason, M.D., M.P.H., August 25, 1895- September 26, 1995

Memorial Service
Grace United Methodist Church Atlanta, Georgia
September 30, 1995
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William A. Mason, M.D., M.P.H.

August 25, 1895

September 26, 1995

EULOGY
WILLIAM ALFRED MASON
Dr. Mason was born in Houma, Louisiana August 25, 1895, the son of a physician, who died when Dr. Mason was only a child. He and his sisteer were adopted by an uncle, who himself was a PhD. His mother died after he received his M. D. degree.
Mason received his public education in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his undergraduate college work at Ohio State. While still in high school, he became proficient in reading Greek and Latin, reading some of the classics in those languages . His doctorate of medicine was earned at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, and his Masters of Public Health at Yale Medical College. He also did graduate work at Vanderbilt University and Harvard College.
He was a physician, teacher, author and a distinguished Christian gentleman. He was often in demand to speak to various groups on public health issues. He was honored by such public figures as Gov. Jimmy Carter and Mayor Hassell.
Dr. Mason's two sons, Charles and William A., Jr. predeceased him, as well as did his beloved sister, Julia. He is survived by his dear friend Ms. Maxine Bradley, who has been a faithful friend for many years, particularly in oaring for his physical and emotional needs during Dr. Mason's last years.
He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and received many honors for his contributions to Georgia Public Health. One of his specialities was the prevention and treatment of venereal diseases in Georgia. For many years he worked with the Boy Scouts of America.
In his later years he joined Grace United Methodist Church and was an active member of the E. F. Newell Sunday school Class.

Words of Grace

Greeting

Prayer

Old Testament Readings

New Testament Readings

Sermon

Frank On

"How Great Thou Art"

Sue Goddard

Witness

Don Speaks Bill Whatley

Commendation - Closing Prayer

Dismissal

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DR. WILLIAM ALFRED MADISON MASON SEPTEMBER 30, 1995

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Dr. Mason was a poet and a linguist, a man of mature faith and humble compassion. Dr. Mason was an orator and a gracious gentleman; he was a Dreamer of Dreams and a Servant of the World.

From his book, "An Odyssey in Black and White," comes the motto that Dr. Mason lived by it is a quote from John D. Rockefeller, Jr:

"The rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind, and only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free."

Here was a man born for greatness 100 years ago in Houma, Louisiana. A man with all the desire and enthusiasm a man gifted with the knowledge and skill a man filled with the calling and commitment to change the world.

Here was also a man who was thwarted, postponed and delayed in every effort to change this world by a dying system of prejudice, hatred and small-mindedness.

Dr. Mason said in his book that he longed for a day that "sees men as men and skills and abilities void of consideration of pigment or religious or ethnic background.

Yet that is not exactly true. Most of us "long" for such a day Dr. Mason helped it along and blazed its trail.

As a pioneer he was a fighter, a dreamer and a demolition expert

when it came to the walls, barriers and roadblocks of closed minds.

However, paid and

it also brought emotional scars

with from

it the greater reality in the heavy price constant hurdles placed in his way.

When Dr. Mason's father died in 1900, Bill and his sister Julia

were adopted by his uncle in Cincinnati, Ohio. graduation from Meharry Medical College, Bill's

Three years mother died.

after his No doubt

he is doing a lot of catching up with his parents about now.

It was his Uncle Madison who shaped Bill's early education so that

he completed high and three years honors at the sc

school with six of Latin. Yet hool, Bill was

years of German, three years of Greek despite having earned valedictorian not allowed to speak because of the

racism of the day.

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All of this was indicative of Dr. Mason's ability to

beyond the current glaring problems of the day

problems ignoranc

of health hazards, premarit e. And beyond these issues, Dr.

al sex, venereal Mason saw systems,

actually see even massive disease and institutions

and a culture that were creating the problems.

an

So Dr. Mason set entire culture as

out to change societal a black physician in

systems, the dark

institutions and ages of Georgia

history during the 1940's, '50's and '60's.

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apathy and polarization. The web of disease, ignorance and narrow-
minded bigotry in this country.

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Since he firmly believed th race to care for each other claimed Christ's lordship over

at th

it was our jo he judged
eir lives.

b as a even (He w

part of the human harder those who ould have made an

excellent preacher if his medical career had ever waned.)

about what

In d
he

fact, eath.
really

in a Memorial Servi He talked about the
focused on was the

ce in Bergen, Norway, Bill prea sadness for those left behind. place of death in God's overall

ched Yet
plan

of life and all creation.

have doorw

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peace and rest a place of reunion with loved ones.

I suspect that there are a great number of folks who were waiting for Dr. Mason. Civil Rights leaders, powerful politicians, fellow workers for a better world as well as poor Boy Scouts who remember free physicals, mothers whose babies were delivered for thanks alone, and students who never would have dreamed of the possibilities that
became reality because of Bill Mason.

This world and especially this state

is a better place

because of William Mason and his 100 years of public service and

sacrifice for the betterment of all mankind.

Dr. Mason was always a man of hope otherwise he would have given up long ago. What he worked for were the basics of life he believed we all need and want, whatever our color, race or creed.

He saw these basics as love, recognition, and a sense of belonging. He said we all need an opportunity to make an honest living, to marry and raise our families, and to live as neighbors in comfort, peace and
dignity.

What separated Dr. Mason from the rest of us was not a belief in these basics. I suppose we all would agree and long for such a day when
this is possible. The difference of Dr. Mason was he not only
believed in these needs, he made it happen and changed the world in the
process.

I am grateful that such a man was a part of this church. (I wish I had known him when he was more active.) I am also grateful to his dear friend, Maxine Bradley, who allowed this man dignity and joy throughout the years and offered him what he worked so hard to make available for others: love, a sense of belonging, a place to live in
peace and die with dignity.

It is by God's grace that we are able to celebrate this day one who so closely walked the Narrow Way, one who trusted in Christ for salvation, one who changed the world for the last hundred years and for
centuries to come.

May God be praised for creating, shaping and guiding this life and using Dr. Mason to bless this world.

Frank B. Orr, Senior Pastor Grace United Methodist Church
Atlanta, Georgia