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Yvonne Mason Obituary
Atlanta, GA - Yvonne Denise Mason, 63, died unexpectedly on April 18, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Survivors include her daughter, Margaret Mason Tate; her grandson, Hamish McIntyre; her sister, Shannon Leppard; her brother, Dan Mason (Debbie); her nieces, Cammie Vaughn (Ross), Natalie Leppard (Joel Kassay), and Jordan Leppard; and her great-nephew and niece, Mason and Mollie Vaughn.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Sara Tucker Morris, and her grandmother, Florence Tucker.
She was born on August 11, 1956, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to Gentry and Sara Mason.
She graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina, with a degree in English. She also earned a master's degree in English Education from Furman University.
She taught for many years at both Hughes Academy and Mauldin High School in Greenville County, and was most beloved by her students for her sometimes radical, always relevant way of leading them through learning. Her impact can be felt on hundreds of students, but perhaps none more so than the Men's Soccer Team at Mauldin High School, for whom she volunteered until her last day teaching.
Yvonne was a founding member of the Cafe and Then Some Players, portraying such beloved characters at Lila Woodward, Mommer Chitwood, and most unforgettably, Louise Spiffy. Spending time on stage and working privately with her best friend, Susan Smith, were some of her most treasured memories.
Yvonne was a noted author and poet, hilarious actress and playwright, beloved mother and grandmother, and completely irreplaceable. She will be remembered as a firecracker, a fierce advocate, and, in her daughter's words, "the very best one."
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Memories and Condolences
for Yvonne Mason
Sponsored by The Greenville News.
dayatra baker-white
April 15, 2025
She will be forever in my memories
Viki Quillian Long
May 24, 2020
As a Thespian member of our beloved WHHS 74 class, I came to know & love Yvonne from the hilarious Cafe & Then Some , where she performed her delightful & side- splittingly funny Ms Spiffy along with many others characters as she graced the CATS stage with her wonderful gift of making her audiences literally CRY with laughter as she performed!!
SHE & Susan, along with Maureen & Bill ,Ted,Traysie ,& her other fellow actors could have you LITERALLY CRYING & falling out of your chair , LAUGHING,& CRYING, & SINGING WITH EVERYONE on that stageALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!☺
There will NEVERRRRR EVER BE ANOTHER GROUP OF more talented ( & not to mention sincerely Gifted actors...ESPECIALLY YVONNE
My very deepest condolences to her family, her best friend Susan Smith, and the lovely members& friends @ CATS!! Xoxo
There WILL N E V E R BE ANOTHER ONE LIKE sweet YVONNE!!!
May she rest in eternal peace , in the arms of our Heavenly Father!!!!!❤❤❤ With deepest sympathy & love, viki Long
May 6, 2020
Ms. Mason,
First off, allow me to apologize for my tardiness. I know this was one of your pet peeves, being a teacher and all, but honestly I've just been struggling to process your departure and finding the words to say goodbye to a dear friend has not come as easily as I had anticipated so I hope you understand. Where do I even begin, Ms. Mason? I could talk about how you were and still are the single most impactful educator I have had in my seemingly endless years of schooling. I could talk about how you taught me and thousands of other students the weight, value, and importance of the English language. I could talk about how you pushed each student to think critically and to be a better writer - anyone who had the experience of getting their essay marked up with that infamous purple pen can attest that you didn't pull punches in your grading but it was always in the name of the endless quest to mold us into better students. I could talk about how you made me a better person by constantly pushing me to do better. You wanted us to live up to a potential you saw in all of your students, regardless of if they even saw that potential in themselves. I met you through your English class in the 2009-2010 school year but I still feel your influence a decade later. Be it in appreciating a good piece of literature, rolling my eyes at yet another 'breaking news' alert from the White House, cheering for the US men's soccer team, or just listening to some old Delaney & Bonnie records late at night. It also needs to be said that your help in editing my graduate school personal statement was absolutely crucial to getting me accepted into medical school and putting me on the path to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. I owe you such a great deal, Ms. Mason, more than words could every properly convey. Every student you came into contact with was a better human just for having known you. I miss you tremendously, I hope you know that. We hadn't spoken much in the last year, which I thoughtlessly chalked up to busy schedules and curriculums, and I've regretted it every day since I got the news. In the back of my mind I was always thinking there would be time to get another cup of coffee at Barnes & Noble tomorrow but maybe this was supposed to be the last lesson you taught me - to never take any of this for granted. Say hi to Hendrix and Ezra Pound for me, I'll be seeing you again someday.
Thank you for entering my life when I needed you most.
Later days,
-a friend
Elaine
April 28, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. She was a brilliant addition to the Cafe and Then Some Players. Missed the southern charm she possessed in the characters she played. So sorry to hear of her passing. Sympathies and prayers for her family and friends.
Elaine
April 28, 2020
I remember Yvonne for her brilliant performances early on at Cafe and Then Some. Loved her southern charm in the characters she played. So sorry to hear of her passing. Many sympathies to her family and friends.
Elaine Huff-Lowe
April 28, 2020
I loved her and am grateful for the privilage of having known her. My sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones.
Ann Huff
April 27, 2020
God have mercy and may her memory be eternal.
Willy Evans
April 27, 2020
Yvonne had a talent for living. She never lost her sense of play and helped others remember theirs. Her untimely passing is sad but I will always have fond memories.
Lacey Gwinn
April 27, 2020
My sincerest thoughts and prayers at such a difficult time. I have known Yvonne over 30 years and she always put a smile on my face when we would cross paths.
Sincerely,
Lacey Gwinn and Becca
Charissa Pichai
April 24, 2020
Ms. Mason was one of my favorite teachers at Mauldin High. It was clear how much she cared for her students. She will be missed.
MaryBeth Endicott
April 24, 2020
Yvonne was a very talented actress and educator. My son was fortunate to have her as a teacher when he attended Hughes Academy. I always enjoyed seeing her perform with the Cafe and Then Some and with Susan Smith at numerous events in Greenville. She will be remembered fondly and missed by many admirers!
God Bless all of her family.
Carol Stewart
April 23, 2020
Yvonne and I were good friends in grammer and junior high . Have not seen her in many years but she was always a delight to becwith. My sympathies to the family.
Kristi Key
April 23, 2020
Sending love to all who loved her.
Christopher Malone
April 23, 2020
I met Yvonne through the huge soccer community on Twitter and we've been friends now for ten years. She had helped me numerous times over the years with my writing including editing and reviewing both of my graduate school application essays. We often watched soccer together online through Twitter with hundreds of other friends we made through the digital platform. Yvonne and I would talk about our love for British TV series shows and various other cultural interests. For the past couple of years I shared Christmas cards with her and it was always a pleasure hearing from her as I made my way through school and life. She was always generous and kind, loved her family (both in real life and virtual), and was always willing to lend her keen English teacher's eye to anything you had. She will surely be missed. I want to extend my sympathies to her family and friends. I never got to meet Yvonne in person, but I am sure someday I will!
Mark Tong
April 23, 2020
Ms. Mason was both an amazing teacher and an amazing person. She impacted so many lives in a positive way. I will never forget all of the great memories I have from her class. I find myself happily proofreading this message, reminiscing about all of the things that she taught me about life and the English language. I feel lucky to have known her, she will be deeply missed.
Dana Burgess
April 23, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Deb Richardson-Moore
April 23, 2020
I will never forget her as Mommer, water-skiing on Lake Hartwell with cigarette and beer in hand.
Jan Christie Warner
April 23, 2020
Yvonne (or as I called her Bunny) and I became best friends after our boyfriends in the band left us, or we them, we carried forth. We met during a time of stress for both of us. We often had so much fun we forgot about the old hurts and haunts we both faced. We laughed, we cried, we smoked cigarettes. She only smoked in the winter because summers were just too hot. Even though time and changes came I kept up with her antic and successes in theatre both in the classroom and on stage. Sending love to Margaret (you were only about 3 or 4 the last time I saw you). And the many out there who will miss you.
Dayatra Baker-White
April 22, 2020
RIP Yvonne. The Cafe and Then Some Players and most particularly Mrs. Louise Spiffy, provided everything from chuckles to belly laughs over the years. She and Susan Smith had such wonderful and offbeat senses of humor that really helped some of us in the business community relax at lunchtime during our stressful days. Dinners were also wonderful fun filled time. She will be missed but never forgotten. Dayatra Baker- White.
Sharon Reynolds
April 22, 2020
Yvonne was the only teacher Caroline had who gave her paper back for correction. The best way to learn but the only one to ever do it. She was the best
Linda Doty
April 22, 2020
She will be greatly missed. Only knew her on stage at CATS but it will not be the same without her. She was my favorite.
Condolences to her family.
Linda Doty
Julie Wickliffe
April 22, 2020
Certainly irreplaceable...great spirited woman...will be missed...a pleasure to have known her. Love and peace to the family.
Charles Dailey
April 22, 2020
A great lady has passed. She was a beautiful spirit and light in a time of darkness. Blessings to all her family and friends, at this time.
Cheryl Norwood
April 22, 2020
Amazing. Always.
John G O'Connell III
April 22, 2020
Sympathies to the Mason family with Yvonne's passing. When I could get by in past years to the cafe/restaurant for lunch and/or 'a dinner show' at the Café and then some, it was always a Joy, a real hoot, and much laughter to watch her and the crew at works, in 'live action!' What a "Wit!" Sure gave the 'fake news gangster' a deplorable grade for his terrible example of ignorance! And that "scratching chop" passing for a "Presidential signature" really disfigure the body of the correspondence. Should have "marked it with an "F-"! Rest In Peace, Oh! Great Thespian, Willy (Shakespeare) would be very proud!
Matthew Eison
April 22, 2020
Yvonne had such an infectious love for life. She was so much fun to be around. I loved watching soccer games with her. I'm so thankful I got to see her perform at the Café and then some. I know she loved being in Atlanta with her family. She was taken too early. I'm so sad
Kathleen Jennings
April 21, 2020
Yvonne was an advocate for children. That is what I remember. She used her comedic wit to connect with people and so effectively. I am sad knowing she is not now of this earth but have no doubt she has already become a real star among the angels. Well done, my friend, a life well lived. RIP you made a difference.
Mike Hawley
April 21, 2020
There is, and ever will be, only ONE Y-Vonne Mason. She was a force of nature and talent, with a great sense of humor and a rasor sharp wit and intelligence. She was a friend to me and my daughters. She is unforgettable.
Thinking of you, Margaret and Hamish.
Mike
Riley Owens
April 21, 2020
Yvonne was certainly one of a kind. We have lost a treasure. Rest peacefully.
Guy Smith
April 21, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear this. I always loved your Mama from when we first met in Jr. High. She was always a bright light in the room where ever she was. Prayers will be with you and your family. R.I.P. Yvonne....
April 21, 2020
I will miss her humor and her friendship. She was a wonderful friend.
Anne Tuggle
April 21, 2020
Ms. Mason was the kind of teacher that parents and students alike will always remember her for her ability to affect and change their lives at a very important time in their lives. Godspeed
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