Kenneth Mason

Kenneth Wayne Mason (better known to family and friends as “Kenny” or “Uncle Kenny”), 76, of Colonial Heights, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 11,2022. Kenneth died at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital after a sudden and brief illness (not COVID related).

Born in Petersburg, he was the son of the late Robert Henry and Fannie Newcomb Mason. His brothers, Edward Henry(Bubba) Mason and Robert Lewis (Poochie) Mason; sister, Peggy Mason Overbey; father and mother-in-law Everette Lee, Sr and Alice (Granny) Wawner Temple; brothers-in-law, Everette Lee, Jr. and Woodrow Wilson Temple, Sr; sister-in-law, Carole Ann Gries Temple; and nephew-in-law, Malcom Mark Scott, all preceded Kenneth in death.

Kenny graduated Petersburg High School class of ’64, Richard Bland College class of ’66, VA Tech class of ’69 (BS Industrial Engineering), John Tyler Community College class of ’94 and Averette College class of ’96 (Masters Business Administration). He also attended and received certificates of various studies from VCU (formally RPI), ODU and Christopher Newport as well as studies throughout his career in the VA Nat’l Guard ’70 until ’89 and the US Army Reserve ’89 until 2005 in Field Artillery, Ammunition, Weapons Firing Direction Control and others when activated and stationed at the Pentagon, DC after 911 until his retirement from the military in 2006. Kenny loved studying and attending each and every school to learn everything that he could to be prepared to the best of his ability for whatever the future and God had in store for him He was very proud of his 35 years military career and honored to have had the privilege to serve his great country of the USA.

Kenneth also served alongside his VA Nat’l Guard/Army military commitment to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary ’96 until 2017 in both Air and Sea Rescues Missions. Throughout Ken’s CGAux career he, completed many training and teaching courses, held eleven offices, received over 30 rewards and many certificates and commendations for “Job Well Done”.
After Kenny’s graduation at VA Tech ’69 he was employed by Proctor & Gamble in Lexington, KY and Jackson, TN ’69 - ’71. He relocated to Newport News, VA to work at the Newport News Shipyard with their Industrial Engineering Dept and Ship Repair ’71 - ’74. Ken retired with Philip Morris ’94 after 20 years with their IE Dept and Production Planning Dept to pursue a long-time personal goal of working with financial investing.

Ken attended First Pentecostal Tabernacle in Petersburg as a child. After he met Linda (’62), he attended Petersburg Assembly of God Church with her where they were married on Sep 10,
1966. Kenny began attending The Heights Baptist Church and was baptized in the Jordan River in Israel during a mission trip in 2015 and became a member in 2018.
Kenny was a very supportive, loving and caring husband, son, son-in-law, brother and brother- in-law along with “teaching uncle” to many nieces and nephews.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Linda Temple Mason of 55 ½ years of Colonial Heights. Four nieces, Tanua Temple Murray and husband, Edward of Amelia, Teresa Temple Williams and husband, Robbie of Chesterfield, Carolyn Overbey Scott of Rougemont, NC, Sonya Temple Belote Trader and friend, Doug Merson of Fredericksburg; three nephews, Roger Antonio Overbey and wife Cindy Crute, Robert Wilson (Bobby) Overbey and wife, Tammy Pulliam both of Nelson, VA, Woodrow (Woody) Temple, Jr. and wife, Valerie Boyd of Chesterfield. Three great nieces, Sarah Joyce Temple and friend, Dave Dembrosky of Wytheville, Lindsey Faye Temple of Chesterfield, Hailey Elizabeth Belote and friend, Jackson Eisele of Farmville. Four great-nephews, Daniel Robert Overbey of Nelson, Colton Lightwood Williams and wife, Carly Shornak, Michael Ryan Williams and Everette Kyle Williams all of Chesterfield. A great-great neice, Landyn Marie Williams, a great-great nephew, Nash Lightwood Williams both of Chesterfield. Two sisters-in-law, Faye Smith Temple and Carolyn Buckworth Temple also of Chesterfield. A brother-in-law, Robert Anderson Overbey of Nelson. “Special Family”, Vito Mirro, II and wife, Heidi Mitchell, Nephew Vito, III and Niece, Giuliana of Colonial Heights; Cousin, Donnie Decatur Overbey and wife, Yvonne Collie of Virgilina; Aunt, Barbara Bayne Williams of Keysville, Cousin, Nancy Wawner Voight of Colonial Heights and Lifetime Friend, Janet O’Berry Boswell of Petersburg.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at The Heights Baptist Church, 17201 Jeff-Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, VA 23834 with interment to follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, S. Prince George. Rev. Steve Freeman will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday night, February 4, 2022 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Home, 2033 Boulevard.

It is Ken’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kenneth Mason’s memory to The Heights Baptist Church, 17201 Jeff-Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, VA 23834 or any church or organization of choice. Condolences may be registered online at www.ealvinsmall.com.