Lynelle Sweat Mason
Lynelle Sweat Mason passed away on February 11, 2025, after a sudden abdominal aneurysm, just short of her 94th birthday.
She was born on Feb. 24, 1931, to Rev. John Ward Sweat, Sr. and Cleo Jordan Sweat. Born in Waycross, Ga., Lynelle has resided at Alexian Village, Signal Mountain, for nearly 18 years.
Lynelle was preceded in death by her parents, Ward and Cleo; her brothers Quentin, Harold, John Ward, Jr., Herbert and Chandos; her sisters Kathryne and Darcile; her husband Rev. Claude Thomas Mason; and her son, Max Alan Mason.
Survivors include her son, Alan Mason (and spouse Timothy Rodrigues); grandson, Patrick Mason (and spouse Tina Mason), and great-granddaughter, Ashton Mason.
Lynelle graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at Belton, Texas in 1953 with a major in Sociology and minors in Psychology and English. She graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1956 with a Master of Religious Education.
During her college and seminary summers, she worked for the Texas Baptist Sunday School Board and the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention doing primarily Vacation Bible Schools and children’s mission camps.
In 1953 she began teaching the fifth grade at Moore Avenue Elementary in Savannah, Ga. From that time until the end of her earthly journey, Lynelle was “hooked” on teaching. Still seeking to find God’s will for her life, she resigned after one year of teaching and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) in Fort Worth, Texas. After graduating from SWBTS she returned to teaching elementary school in Savannah. During the same time frame, she served as the Volunteer Youth Director of Morningside Baptist Church, Savannah, Ga.
In 1957, Lynelle joined the staff of Tattnall Square Baptist Church, Macon, Ga., as their Educational and Youth Director. In 1958 she met the love of her life, Claude Thomas Mason, who was pastor of Second Baptist Church, Macon, Ga., marrying him in 1959. The two of them forged an active husband/wife team that was loved and respected throughout the North Georgia locale, eventually settling at First Baptist Church, Rossville, Ga. In her capacity as a pastor’s wife, Lynelle served as G.A. Director, Sunbeam Director, W.M.U. Director, and Church Training Director. Her many activities included directing plays, sponsoring retreats, and teaching adults and children at various times in Sunday School; she delighted in mission action projects, teaching mission study books, and always promoting and working in Vacation Bible Schools.
When her son Alan entered the first grade, Lynelle renewed her love affair with teaching children and became a third-grade teacher. For the next 27 years, she taught at North Rossville Elementary as both a classroom and special education resource teacher. During her closing years as a special education teacher, Lynelle was bitten by the urge to write, bought her remaining retirement years from the Savannah School System, and retired.
Never content to be a bystander, Lynelle filled her post-retirement days with meaningful choices and activities. After her husband’s death, she stayed on at First Baptist Rossville as Director of Children’s activities. Later she began her wonderful association with First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, deepening her ongoing spiritual devotion and journey. Upon moving to Alexian Village atop Signal Mountain, she embraced many activities including several years as a reporter for the association’s monthly newsletter and quite a few stints as the Easter Bunny, which combined her love of holidays, children, theater and joyous celebration. She also continued her active participation in the Walker County Retired Educators Association (WREA) and authored and published two books with Creative Press and seven books with Nurturing Faith/Good Faith Media of Macon, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Chattanooga. She will be buried next to her dearly departed husband at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park.
Condolences may be left for the Mason family at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com
In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to a children’s education or church ministry of your choosing.
All arrangements have been made by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.