Born in Grafton, WV May 13, 1945, to Troxell Olin Mason Sr. and Ruth Lucille Bolyard Mason.  Being raised up in the service living in Philippine Islands, England, Japan and then Germany with first husband.

 

On August 1, 1961, family returned to Grafton, WV after my father retired from service with the U.S. Army with Corp of Engineers as    Lt. Col with 22 1/2 years.  I graduated from Grafton High School with class of 1964.  In October 1965 graduated from Davis Memorial Hospital School of Practical Nursing in Elkins, WV.  Licensed as LPN in WV, Texas, Kentucky and Michigan.                                

 

Returned to Grafton May 1985 with daughter Michelle. Volunteer with Taylor County EMS became a Licensed Emergency Technician. Worked at Grafton City Hospital. Transferred to Clarksburg VAMC in 1990. Retired from Louis A. Johnson VAMC Clarksburg WV in 2008 after 42 years as LPN. Serviced in Woman's Army Corp during the Vietnam Era as Sp5 at William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas.

 

Organization: American Legion Taylor County Post #12 PUFL 34 years, 40&8 Voiture Locale #279 17 years, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #0874 Life Member, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #31, VFW Auxiliary Unit #3084, GFWC Woman's Club of Grafton, Taylor County Family Resources, Taylor County Art Council, American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Staff 8 years, and WV Memorial Day Committee 34 years and past Vice Chairman.  Member of Blueville United Methodist Church.

 

Married to John William Russell III for 14 years who got me involved in American Legion Post #12 and WV Memorial Day Committee.

At AL Post #12 I have been past Chaplain, Children and Youth, 1st Vice Commander, Post Commander, and I am presently serving as Adjutant/Finance Officer.  Past 2nd District Chaplain, 1st Vice Commander, and Commander.  At AL WV Dept level Asst Sgt-At-Arms, Historian, and American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Inc.

 

I have one daughter Michelle Lynne Lavery, two grandchildren Janelle and Kamron, living in Levittown, Pa.  Siblings Capt. Troxell Olin Mason Jr. US Army, Col. Jacqueline Mason-Swanson US Army Ret., and 1st Lt Holden Farrar Mason US Army