Ruby Mason Gaylor

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 6, 2012

Oct. 7, 1934 – July 2, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Ruby Mason Gaylor, 77, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, July 2, 2012, at Promise Specialty Hospital in Vidalia, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Birdon Mitchell Jr. and the Rev. A.R. Brown officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until the 10:15 a.m., at which time, The Links, Inc., will have its memorial service which is open to the public. Visitation will continue after the memorial service until service time.

Mrs. Gaylor was born Oct. 7, 1934, in Laurel, the youngest of five children of Sam and Ethel Pearl Mason. She received her elementary and secondary education in the Laurel public schools and graduated from Oak Park High School. She graduated from Alcorn State University where she received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She did additional study at the University of Southern Mississippi.

With a burning desire to make an impact on the lives of children, she began her lifelong career as a third grade teacher with the Natchez-Adams School District. She taught for 38 years and boasted that she loved every moment of it. Most of the children she taught grew up to be productive citizens and a number of them made an effort to let her know the positive influence that she made on their lives.

Ruby was a dedicated member of a number of organizations, but she will always be remembered for her work with the Alcorn State University Alumni Association, the Natchez Chapter of The Links, Inc., the Democratic Executive Board and the Magnolia Neighborhood Club. She was a charter member of the Natchez Chapter of The Links, Inc., and served in a number of capacities during the 26 years that she was a member. Although she was a very busy person, she always put her church first and spent most of her time there serving on the Steward Board and the M.J. Brady Missionary Society.

When Ruby retired she found pleasure in reading, watching television, working in her many flower beds and traveling with her beloved husband, Harry Lee Gaylor Sr., to whom she was married for 45 years.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Harry Lee Gaylor Jr.; and two brothers, Ernest Mason of Laurel and Lee Mason of Philadelphia, Pa.

She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband; one brother, Marshall Mason; one sister, Annie Lokey, both of Laurel; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins; and two godsons, Christopher and Frederick Todd , both of Natchez, along with friends and her former students.

Pallbearers will be friends of the family.