Gladys Theresa Gautier Mason

Gladys Theresa Gautier Mason departed this life on October 2, 2025, at the age of 97. A native and lifelong resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, Gladys was born on September 8, 1928, to Edmund and Irma Jones Gautier, the fourth of nine children. She was the beloved wife of the late Ronald F. Mason, Sr., with whom she shared 66 years of marriage, and the devoted mother of six children, to whom she gave her unconditional love. Gladys graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and was employed as a cook at St. Joseph and Ursuline Catholic Schools. She was later recruited by the YMCA, where she served in the cafeteria and as a counselor in a child displacement program. Gladys took great pleasure in life's simple joys, including cooking, sewing, playing cards, and trying her luck with scratch-off tickets.
Gladys is survived by her children, Ronald (Belinda) Mason, Jr., David (Shelia) Mason, Shelia (Rodney) Bailey, Darlene (Alan) Williams, and Steven Mason. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Nia Mason, Christopher Mason-Williams, Quentin Mason, Gaylan Williams, Jeremy (Candace) Mason, Brittney (Jared) Williams-Reese, Jared Mason, Kenan (Lauren) Mason, Teresa Williams, and Mason Bailey; and seven great-grandchildren: Jeremy Mason Jr., Gharri Reese, Oakley Mason, Caleb Mason, Elias, Arsene Reese, and baby girl Mason, due in December. Her surviving siblings, Edmond Gautier and Leonard Gautier, are also left to mourn her passing.
She was also a devoted friend and mother figure to many who were touched by her kindness and love.
As she enters God's kingdom, Gladys is lovingly reunited with her parents, Edmund and Irma Gautier; her husband, Ronald Mason, Sr.; her beloved second son, Gary Mason and her two grandsons, Ronald F. Mason III and Bernell Mason. She was also preceded in death by her siblings: brothers, Leon (Vivian) Gautier, Noel Gautier, and Lloyd Gautier and sisters, Doris (Nolan) Hamilton, Emelda (James) Beaudion, and Shirley (Everett) Labat.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9:00 am at D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana. Rosary will begin at 9:30 am and her Celebration of life will follow at 10:00 am and can be livestreamed by visiting www.facebook.com/D.W.RhodesFuneralHome/live. Interment will be in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook.