Bro. Freddy Mason, age 79, of Carthage, Texas, went home to be with the Lord on Monday morning, May 5, 2025, at his home in Carthage. Freddy Mason, Jr. was born on Nov. 30, 1945, in Texarkana, AR to the late Fred and Pansy Joy Wood Mason. He graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1963, and attended Panola College where he served as the Sophomore Class President, Choir President, was nominated as Green Jackets Sweetheart, made the Dean's List and Honor Roll, was an All-Star Cast Member, and participated in One Act Play. Bro. Freddy was a one man show on stage and he participated in many one and two act plays throughout his career, most notably for playwright Ben Z. Grant, in a play about Caddo Lake. Freddy earned a Bachelor's Degree from East Texas Baptist University. He attended the Baptist Seminary in New Orleans where he earned his divinity degree. Bro. Freddy enjoyed a 57-year ministry serving the Lord at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in the Snap Community of Panola County. During his tenure at Cedar Grove, he pastored generations of Panola County families, officiating countless numbers of baptisms, weddings and funerals. He married Suzanne Treadwell on June 15, 1990, in Clayton, Texas. Bro. Freddy taught at Panola College where he also served as the Director of the Baptist Student Ministry for many years and at the time of his retirement, he served as the Dean of the Liberal Arts Department. He was a longtime member of the Carthage Noon Lions Club and served with the 100 Men of East Texas. To know Bro. Freddy was to love him and he will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joe Mason; and a niece, Angela Cromer.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Mason; children, Toby Self and wife Staci and Katrina Randall and husband Tuff; grandchildren, Brandon Matlock and wife Destiny, Ethan Self, Cameron Boyd and husband Donnie; great-grandchildren, Georgia Matlock, Stoney Matlock, and Gracie Boyd; sister, Janie Cromer and husband Bill; niece, Amy Mason and her children; and nephew, Brian Cromer and wife Robin and their children.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church prior to the funeral service. Bro. Freddy will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Alan McDaniel, Joshua Dunn, Bobby Reed, Eric Pelham, Jeb Barney, Mark Brown, Wayne Morris, and John Pages.

Honorary pallbearers are Curt Crawford, Steve Reed, Bill Bradley, Reggie Miller, Mike Pennington, Jimmie Dale Dunn, Mike Marshall, Barry Marshall, Jerry Morris, Don Strahan, Larry Powell, Carlton Hudman, Kyle Ritter, Denny Hockett, and Keith Wedgeworth.

Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 1050 CR 108, Carthage, TX 75633 or to the Panola College Foundation, "Freddy Mason Scholarship", Attn: Institute of Advancement, 1109 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.