Velma Arliner Mason

Funeral service for Velma Mason will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2016 at the River of Life Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery under the direction of the Inola Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Sunday 1-6 p.m., and family will greet friends 4-6 p.m.

Velma passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at her home in Inola at the age of 91.

The daughter of Frank and Lola Merrman Pierce was born September 4, 1924 in Henryetta, Oklahoma. As a young girl she was raised near Indianola. There she attended Indianola schools. After finishing school, she met Robert Mason in nearby Ulan. They would marry there at Spring High School on February 27, 1944. A few years later the couple made their way to Tulia, Texas. There they would begin raising their family. She worked mostly as a homemaker during this time, but could often be found working alongside her husband in the cotton fields. After 25 years in Texas, the family decided to return to Oklahoma. They settled in Tulsa for a few years, until moving to Inola in 1974.

In her spare time Velma had many past times. planting flowers,puzzles, word searches and playing skip bo and Yahtzee were a few of her favorites. However taking care of her family was always at the top of her list. She especially loved cooking for them. Coconut pies, chicken and turkey dressing and chocolate gravy were some of her specialties.

She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Lola Pierce; children, Manuel Mason, Linda Watson and Mike Mason; and siblings, Clyde, Homer, Oliver, Troy and Billy Pierce.

Survivors include her husband Robert of the home; sons, Gary Mason of Inola, and Ray Mason of Matador, Texas; daughters, Sue Gardner and husband Bill of Inola, Pat Osborne and husband Melvin of Ava, Missouri, and Diane Sanders of Inola; brother, George Pierce of McAlister; 19 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.