Winifred Bell Mason HERNDON

1934 - 2017

HERNDON, Winifred Bell Mason Winifred Bell Mason Herndon, age 82, of Grayson passed peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Gwinnett Medical Center. She passed with the grace and gentleness with which she lived. Born September 22, 1934 in Centerville, Georgia to Winston and Ida Bell Mason, Winifred (Winnie) was the oldest of four and a second mother to siblings Jimmy, Wayne and Gay. Winifred enjoyed a childhood surrounded by family and was remembered as a beautiful child with a sweet nature and kind heart, traits which remained throughout her life. Zoar United Methodist was her church home as a child, and she and Al raised their children in Snellville First United Methodist. Winifred is survived by her husband of 62 years, Alan J. Herndon of Grayson, daughter Sherry Herndon Patton (Jimmy) of Grayson; daughter Lisa Herndon Crowe (Sam) of Grayson, and daughter-in-law Kelly Herndon of Lawrenceville. She is also survived by her brother Wayne Mason (Ann) of Snellville; sister Gay Mason Ewing (Gary) of Snellville; sister-in-law Barbara Herndon Harrison (Gordon) of Tucker; sister-in-law Betty Herndon Stone of Orangeburg, South Carolina; brother-in-law Buck Herndon (Julie) of Lilburn; and sister-in-law Ruth Herndon of Marietta, as well as a large number of devoted nieces and nephews. Known as Mimi to a happy flock, Winifred was grandmother to Brad Crowe (Lindsay) of Marietta; Wynne Crowe Maddox (Doug) of Bethlehem; Lee Patton (Jessamy) of Decatur; Rob Patton (Megan) of Grayson; Winston Herndon of Clermont; Adam Herndon (Melissa) of Braselton; and Claire Herndon Vandervelde (Jacob) of Jackson, MS and great-grandmother to Kelsey and Macie Crowe of Marietta, and Ellery Herndon of Braselton. Preceding Winifred Herndon in death were her parents James Winston and Ida Bell Mason of Centerville, brothers James Darrell (Jimmy) Mason of Snellville; Jimmy's twin Oscar Farrell; son Mark Alan Herndon of Gainesville; brother-in-law A.D. (Elizabeth) of Snellville; brother-in-law Fred (Marge) of Illinois; brother-in-law Bill Herndon of Marietta; sister-in-law Edna Herndon Smith (LJ) of Tucker; brother-in-law Ken (Ruby) of Lithonia; brother-in-law Don Herndon (Katie) of Duluth; and brother-in-law John Stone of South Carolina. All who knew Winifred recall an unusually sweet spirit. Her twinkling eyes and cheerful countenance made life a pleasure for all in her care. As a newlywed in 1954, Winifred followed her military husband to Leipheim, Germany where she created a home and her first child, Sherry, was born. The newlyweds made memories that remained a lifetime. In the years to follow, the young couple returned to Snellville and Winifred devoted herself to raising three fine children, caring for family and friends, and creating the happiest of homes. Many aspire to a life of peace and harmony, Winifred achieved it. Goodness and mercy followed her all the days of her life. The family will receive guests on Tuesday, March 21, from 4-8 pm Tom M. Wages Funeral Home, 3705 US 78, Snellville, Georgia 30039. She will lie in state on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Snellville United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Snellville United Methodist Church at 11 am. Interment to follow at Snellville Historical Cemetery, Snellville, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Winifred M. Herndon to Creative Enterprises, Inc., 701 Hi Hope Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. www.creativeenterprises.org or to SUMC Benevolence Fund. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, "A Family Company", Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200 has been entrusted with the arrangements.