Fitzhugh Ralph Mason Sr.

Fitzhugh Ralph Mason Sr. transitioned from this life to the next on November 26, 2023, at the age of 93. He was the son of Fitzhugh Mason and Alberta Brewer and was raised by his maternal grandparents, Fletcher and Julia Brewer.

He was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1930 and graduated in the Maggie L. Walker High School’s class of 1948. Ralph accepted Christ at an early age, and in 1952 he united with the Sixth Baptist Church. In his more than 70 years of active service to the church, he served as a Cub Scout leader, on the Usher Board, Trustee Board, Deacon Board, Senior Choir, Male Chorus, Brotherhood ministry, and taught Sunday School.

Directly after high school, he married Ida Susie Jiggetts. Two children, Jacqueline and Ralph Mason, Jr., were born into this union. They remained married until her death. He dutifully served in the US Navy during the Korean War as a ship’s barber. After the Navy, he and Ida opened a neighborhood grill with his brother and sister-in-law called Fitz & Jiggs. Ralph worked for American Tobacco Company, retiring as supervisor after more than 30 years of service. During his time at American Tobacco, he returned to J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Business Management.

He was a 36-year member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and an active member of the Rolling Hills Community. He married Polly Jones in 2001. Wilbert and Jackie Curtis were privileged to care for Ralph for the last year of his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Ida J. Mason; his son, F. Ralph Mason Jr., and his sister Juanita M. Mason. He is loved by his daughter, Dr. Jacqueline Curtis (Wilbert H.); his grandchildren Natalie Waller (Dr. William), Dr. Charles Curtis (Natiya), Nicole Mason, Fitzhugh Ralph Mason III, Jordan Mason (Marissa), Ndesha Osakwe (Chibundu), Naiihrr Mason; 5 great-grandchildren and daughters-in-law; Denise R. Mason, Edith E. Mason, Mahalia Dryden-Mason and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.