Gracie "Katie D. or Mama Gracie or Nanny" Helen Mason, 86, of Kansas City, MO, passed on Friday, June 12, 2020, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO. Surrounded by a loving family, church family, and friends. Katie D. courageously and peacefully met the challenge of an extended illness & grief from losing her husband until the Lord called her home.

Born on August 1, 1933 to L.V. and Florean Davis in Blackwell, Arkansas. She was the oldest of three siblings. Her parents, her husband of over 50 years (Nathaniel Eugene Mason), two siblings (Mary Jean Herron & Henry George Davis), her daughter (Barbara Diane Cooper-Clemons), her Best Friends (Marilyn Wrice), (Dessie Mae Finch), (Evelyn Reed), (Brenda Williams) and one of her favorite cousins (Claudia Everette) all preceded her in death.

Gracie was educated and graduated from L.W. Sullivan High School in Morrilton, Arkansas and later relocated to Kansas City, MO in 1961. She attended Kansas City Business College earning her degree in secretarial science.

She professed her hope in Christ at an early age at St. Matthew #2 in Morrilton, Arkansas. When she relocated to Kansas City, MO, she joined Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. A.L. Johnson, Sr. Pastor. Gracie was very involved in the Mission, Sunday School and Choir. She later moved her membership to Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Joseph Fletcher. There too she was involved in the Mission, Sunday School and Choir. She was known for giving hugs and kisses with a purse full of candy that members solely depended on her having at service. Mama Gracie was known to sing the Birthday song every month at church and all family Birthday parties too!

Gracie retired from St. Luke's Hospital in 1985 after 21 years of service as a Supervisor of Nutritional Service. After being injured on the job, she started a in home daycare and cared for many kids all over the Kansas City area for 26 years. She loved to cook, cherished children and was known for her passion of singing for the Lord. Her beautiful voice is known throughout the city and her hometown in Arkansas, as she ministered to others through song. She also loved doing laundry for her great-great granddaughter Adyson as she affectionally called her AdyCat! Her other baby was her great grandson Kayden (KK) who helped her around the house and made her laugh!

Nanny loved all of her children and she was all about family! It gave her great joy to sit back and watch as we played cards, dominoes, joked and laughed with each other. She loved people! All who knew her loved her and she called everyone "baby". She was the most giving, caring, loving and compassionate woman. She shared her love to all and she would cook you a meal, a cake and anything you asked for!

Her presence and memory will forever live on thru: her two daughters Vivian Moore & Shonda Cooper-Gee (Roderick) both of Kansas City, MO; two sons James E. Cooper, Jr. (Carolyn) of Rockledge, FL & Kevin L. Alexander of Antioch, CA; fifteen (15) grandchildren; forty-eight (48) great grandchildren; seven (7) great-great grandchildren; a favorite grandson DeJuan Clemons of Conway, Arkansas; a favorite niece Donna Moore of Blue Springs, MO; son-in-law Charles Green of Pontiac, MI; Cousins Merva Lee Haney, Zella Mae McAllister, Azer Lee Cunningham; special friends Mazie M. Wright, Phyllis Davis, Janie Budget, Phyllis Hoskins; special daughters Joyce Fletcher, Carolyn Crawford, Thelma Stowers, Regina Scruggs; and a host of nephews, nieces, church family and friends.

Funeral services Friday, June 19 at 11:00am at the Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors Chapel. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation 9:00am-10:45am at the chapel. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website. Due to the COVID19 Panademic situation to all who are attending masks are required.