Barbara Jean Mason

Barbara Jean Carson’s life journey began on July 30, 1935, in the small mountain town of Tryon, North Carolina. The daughter of Charles and Maybell Carson, she was preceded in death by her older sister, Patricia, and her younger brother Charles Donald. Barbara moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in seventh grade to live with her Aunt Ofelia, and graduated from West Charlotte High School in 1954. Barbara attended Johnson C. Smith University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1958. She was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, one of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities, a venerable sisterhood that survives beyond death. As a student, Barbara met Howard C. Petty from Gastonia, North Carolina, and the two were married in the Johnson C. Smith chapel on Barbara’s graduation day, June 3rd, 1958. Howard's service as an officer and pilot in the US Navy led to several posts, including Hutchinson, Kansas; Patuxent River, Maryland; Argenta, Newfoundland; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Diego, CA; Atsugi, Japan; and Annapolis, MD. Barbara got her first teaching job in Argenta, Newfoundland. The next job for Barbara was in Olathe, Kansas. There she taught while pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education at the University of Kansas. Later, Barbara and Howard’s son, Howard C. Petty Jr., was born at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. Barbara stayed at home to care for their son as a toddler. When the family moved to San Diego, she became an art teacher and continued her studies at San Diego State University. Their next move was to Atsugi, Japan, where she taught school and began her work in administration. While Howard was stationed at the US Naval Academy in 1973, Barbara began teaching at Oak Hill Elementary School in Severna Park, MD. Barbara retired 26 years later as the longtime Principal of West Meade Senior H.S. After her divorce in 1974, Barbara married her dear friend and coworker, Blondell Mason. They were married for 43 years. Barbara and Blondell enjoyed long, fulfilling, and distinguished careers in service to the Anne Arundel County School system and the county’s youth, and enjoyed a wonderful retirement life together. Barbara was anchored by her unwavering faith and her dedication as matriarch of the Petty family. A loving grandmother to her four grandchildren, Austin and his wife, Devon, Carson, Thomas James, and Crosby, and mother-in-law to Katherine. Left to cherish fond and loving memories are her nephews Charles, Teddy, Jeffrey, Carlos, and Patrick, other relatives, and very dear friends.

Barbara Jean Mason

January 30, 1935 - January 3, 2026