Francis Ottway Mason

Francis Ottway Mason transitioned from this life on June 11, 2025. He was a resident of Macon, Georgia.

Francis was born April 15, 1941 in Surry, Virginia to the late Nathaniel and Adelle Mason. He graduated from Luther Porter Jackson High School, Dendron, Virginia. He served for two years in the Armed Forces/Military.

He was employed by Huntington Ingalls/Newport News Shipyard and then moved to Macon, Georgia where he dedicated over 30 years of his life to Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company in the Fabrication Department as a Packing Tech.

Francis was a devoted husband, brother, uncle, adopted father and grandfather to Corey and Vineda Jordon and sons.

He loved cooking, grilling and entertaining his family and friends. He enjoyed football and basketball. Francis was an avid Washington Commanders (Redskins) fan.

He enjoyed training dogs and attending dog shows. He proudly displayed his trophies won at many dog shows. Francis was a member of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association. For over 30 years he was an avid coonhunter and breeder. Francis enjoyed raising and training pups. He also enjoyed talking about dogs and hunting. Some of his favorite dogs he enjoyed talking about were Juds Ears, Juds Jill, NITECH, Juds Dan, GNITECH, GRIN-TECH PR Dark Harlow and GINTECH Thunder Valley Ragin OX. Francis was a good friend to many people in the breed.

Francis believed that each of us have a God given gift that we should not ignore, but should cultivate it and perfect it to our best ability; and the best thing is to enrich our lives and to glorify God.

Francis loved the Lord and never was ashamed to proclaim His goodness. He rejoined the Union Baptist Church, Spring Grove, Virginia in 2024. He enjoyed listening to gospel music and the word of God.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adelle and Nathaniel Mason; brothers, Paul and Silas Mason (twins), Thomas Mason and James Turner Sr.; and his daughter, Kimberly Butts.

Francis leaves to treasure his memory, one sister, Elsie Dennis; nephews, Reginald Mason, James Turner Jr., (Brenda) and Walter Stephens (Carla); nieces, Sandra Causey (Paul) and LaShone Williams (Milton); grandson, Kentrell Butts; very special cousins, Phyllis Schaffer (Russell), Lucille Peterson Goodwyn (Herbert), Ora Peterson, Dora Jones (care provider); special friends Shelia Ridley, Diane Parham and Joyce Grimes; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Francis’ legacy of love, family and faith will continue to inspire everyone who knew him.

On Friday, June 20, 2025 viewing will take place from 3-6pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Union Baptist Church, 5962 Laurel Spring Rd., Spring Grove, Va. Interment will be held in the Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Please keep the Mason family in your prayers.