Hazel Maxine Mason was born April 19, 1928 at Dillard, MO, to the union of Arlie and Carrie (Turnbough) Cottrell. She departed this life Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Gibbs Care Center, Steelville, MO at the age of 81 years. She was united in marriage to Lyle Eugene "Gene" Mason by a former school teacher, Rev. Henry Butts, on October 10, 1947 at Cherryville, MO. They enjoyed over 55 years together. Places of residence have included Dillard, St. Louis, Salem, Viburnum, Rolla, and currently Steelville. As a young woman she worked at different factories in St. Louis. She then attended Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO where she received her teaching certificate. She taught school at what was known as lower Viburnum. Hazel also taught in other schools in the Dillard area. After marriage, Hazel worked for the welfare system for Dent and Shannon Counties for several years while living in Salem. Later in life she was a homemaker, gardener, and worked full time at the family owned paint store in Viburnum. Hazel was also involved in the Dillard Homemakers Club for many years As a young woman while in St. Louis, she accepted Christ as her personal saviour, with her very good friend Mariam Wilhite, sharing in this joyous experience. She has served her Lord since by always being active in church. Hazel was an Adult Women's Sunday school teacher for many years. Hazel also took great pride in studying and reading her Bible. She read her Bible through, in it's entirety, every year for approximately 25 years. She stated that she always learned something new each time. She will be sadly missed by her two sons, Lyle Mason of Arcadia, KS, and Paul Mason and wife Melissa of Rolla, MO, grandchildren, Candice Nelson, Lucas Mason, Eric Mason, Joshua Mason, Phillip Mason, Jonathon Mason, and Sara Mason, and great grandchildren, Sidney, Emma, and Dean Nelson, her brother Darrell Cottrell and wife Sandy of Yorba Linda, CA, Glenn Cottrell and wife Betty of Hixson, TN, and Vernon Cottrell and wife Jerrie of Monroe, LA, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; one sister, Bonita Cottrell; brother-in-law, Vondell Mason; sister-in-law, Thelma Sellers and husband Ed and special aunt, Lorene Eaton. Visitation was from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Monday, January 11, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jerry Beers and Rev. Burlie Turnbough officiating. Special music of "What A Day That Will Be" and "Where the Roses Never Fade" were sung by Larry Sherrill and accompanied on piano by Geraldine Sherrill. Committal prayer and burial were in the Old Dillard Cemetery at Dillard, MO. Honored to be casket bearers were Josh Mason, Phillip Mason, Lucas Mason, Kevin Cottrell, Richard Cottrell and Stanley Eaton. Memorials may be given to the United Baptist Church of Steelville, MO.