Dora Mae Martin Mason was a woman whose life was filled with love, faith, and talent. She passed away in March, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and kindness. Dora was not just a beloved wife and mother, but also a cherished grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her family meant everything to her. She is survived by her loving husband Roger J. Mason, her devoted children Diane Armstrong, Kellie Armstrong, son-in-law Thomas Behe, and her grandchildren Chaise Armstrong and Salem Armstrong-Behe. She was also blessed with a great-granddaughter named Oakley Rain Armstrong, who brought her endless joy. Dora’s siblings, John Seney Martin and wife Jewel, Jason Martin and wife Taylor, Roberta Byrd, and June Beardon, and many nieces and nephews also mourn her passing.
Born in New Hope, Alabama, Dora moved to Nashville after she graduated high school to attend IBM School. It was there that she met her husband, and they moved to McMinn County to raise their children. Dora was a hard worker, known for her meticulous nature in everything she did. She worked at Mayfield Dairy for 12 years and later for The State of Tennessee, where she retired in 2003. But her work was not just limited to her jobs; Dora had many hobbies that she enjoyed, such as square dancing, clogging, quilting, and crocheting. She even passed on her crocheting skills to her granddaughter. However, her greatest passion was her love for the Lord and her service in his church. She was a dedicated member of Mars Hill Methodist Church in Englewood, where she served on the Pastor Committee and as the Sunday School Secretary. After her marriage to Jay, she joined New Bethel Church of God in Madisonville.
Dora was not only recognized for her stunning beauty but also for her remarkable talents and creativity. Her voice was a gift from God, and she shared it with others every week as a part of the church choir. As a gifted musician, she dedicated her skills to serving her community, notably as the Pianist at Mars Hill and as a soloist during worship services at New Bethel. Her acts of kindness extended far beyond her immediate circle, leaving a lasting impact on anyone who met her. Dora’s youthful appearance and radiant spirit will forever be cherished, but it’s her boundless love and warmth that will resonate most deeply in the hearts of those who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry Martin and Frances Nellie Martin, her sister, Louise Thorson, and husbands, Lendell Armstrong and Fred Thompson.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens with Rev. Mitch Anderson and Rev. Don Harris officiating. The family be receiving friends immediately before the service from 12 – 2pm. Services in Alabama will be held 2:00 P.M. CST Tuesday at New Hope Funeral Home in New Hope, Alabama. Interment will follow in Bethel Cemetery in New Hope, Alabama.They will recieve friends from 1-2 Tuesday in the funeral home.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Dora’s memory to the Bethel Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Fund, P.O. Box 403, New Hope, Alabama, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the historic Bethel Cemetery, the final resting spot of more than 37 veterans from The Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World War 1, World War 11, Koran and Vietnam Wars.
