Martha Moore Mason Munn's Obituary
DALLAS, TX - Martha Moore Mason Munn, age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2015, surrounded by her family. She is now resting in the arms of our Lord Jesus, and using her voice to sing praises to the High Heavens. "GrandMartha" , as she was known to her 24 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren, was born to Thomas Turner and Lola Morton Moore on September 6, 1921, in the rural farming community of Charleston, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Tom Jr. and his wife Katy, her first husband James L. Mason, Jr., her 2nd husband Floyd C. Munn, and her oldest son, James L. Mason III. She is survived by her sister Mary and Bob Plane of Albuquerque, NM, and six children: Randy and Lyn Mason of San Antonio, TX; Tom and Nancy Mason of Dallas, TX; Jan and Roland Lopez of Salt Lake City, UT; Carl and Sandy Mason of Plano, TX; Lucy and Dan Harrington of Nashville, TN; Bill and Melissa Mason of Cleburne, TX; and her daughter-in-law, Tempe Mason of Carlsbad, CA; along with her grandchildren and great grandchildren (and 3 on the way). She is also survived by Floyd's children, John (Michelle) Munn, Kathy (Ron) Smith, and MaryBeth (Rick) Graefe, all of St. Louis, MO. Martha was a member of the Greatest Generation. Her father fought as an Infantryman in WWI, and supported his family during the Depression farming and running a grocery store on the town square; extending credit to those who needed it. Martha graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston with a teaching certificate in Elementary Education. Martha was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She fell in love with her brother's roommate, James L. Mason Jr., and they married in Gainesville, FL in June 1944, just before he shipped out to fight with the US Army Aircorp in the China Burma India Theater of WWII. After the war, Mr. Mason completed his degree in Geology from the Univ. of Illinois, and Martha and James moved their young family to Dallas to start his career in the Oil & Gas business. Martha devoted her life to raising her 7 children. She attended innumerable PTA meetings, dance and band recitals, football, basketball, and baseball games, Boy and Girl Scouting events, and swim meets. She was a lifelong member of PEO; a member of the Aldersgate Sunday School Class and the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas. She worked for DISD Talented & Gifted Program, and was an attendant for many years at the Thanksgiving Square monument in downtown Dallas. Martha still owns the family farm in Douglas County west of Oakland. While at a Family Reunion in Colorado, she fell in love with God's glorious nature surrounding Snow Mountain Ranch at YMCA of the Rockies. She returned the following year as a "senior" volunteer at the Ranch. There she met other seniors and created friendships that endured to the very end. She attended the Information Booth in the Main Lodge for many years; directing new visitors to their cabins and many activities offered at the Y. There too she met Floyd C. Munn, a widower, who also volunteered at the Program Building. They married in Feb. 1999 and enjoyed life traveling with other seniors, and spending time each year between Dallas, St. Louis and Snow Mountain Ranch. Floyd passed away in 2003; and Martha returned to Dallas and took residency at the CC Young senior living facility near White Rock Lake. She continued her role as matriarch of the Mason Clan, constantly organizing family picnics and get-togethers. Martha inspired everyone she knew with her positive outlook, Christian character and loving smile. The Family has continued its traditions of bi-annual reunions at Summers Mill in Salado, TX, and frequent vacations to Snow Mountain Ranch. Her family honored her in 2011 on her 90th Birthday with a plaque on a new bench constructed as a permanent remembrance of her love for nature on the Waterall Hike at Snow Mountain Ranch. The Mason/Munn family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided to Martha during her final months at Sonoma House in Carrollton, TX; particularly the special love given by the Caregivers in House #7, and her daughter-in-law Sandy Mason, her primary caregiver. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1928 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015. Inurnment will be in the Moore Family Plot at Roselawn/Mound Cemetery in Charleston, IL under supervision of Adams Funeral Chapel at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015. Arrangements in Dallas are being handled by Restland Funeral Home; and your remembrances may be offered at restlandfunerahome.com. Memorials may be made to YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch, PO Box 169, Winter Park, CO 80482 (the Martha Munn Memorial Fund); or to the charity of your choice.
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