Melinda Ann Mason

Melinda Ann Mason was born June 1, 1947, in Ballinger, Texas, to Weyman Bryant Mason and Jessie Mae (Terry) Mason, joining the family as the third child, after Marilyn Terry Mason and Russell Terry Mason. She was soon to be joined by a younger sister who became her lifelong best friend, Martha Alice Mason. Born into a family who valued hard work and creativity, Melinda nurtured a love of God’s creation throughout her lifetime. A painter, musician, writer, illustrator, and consummate professional, Melinda always had a story to share and did it with flair.

At Ballinger High School, Melinda painted backdrops for prom, sang “The Little Brown Church in the Vail” in nursing homes alongside her siblings, played clarinet in the band, and twirled with the majorettes. Growing up with the family florist shop attached to their home, Melinda developed an innate love for the beauty of flowers.

In her first year of college at McMurry College in Abilene, Melinda was cast in theatrical productions and became a member of Theta Chi Lambda women’s social club, founded by her sister Marilyn. She finished her schooling at North Texas State University, studying advertising design and business. Whether designing an album cover for the college’s lab band (1969) or drawing a caricature of her friends and family, Melinda’s artistic prowess was the stuff of legend.

After college, Melinda answered the call of duty and joined the United States Navy. As an officer stationed in Washington, DC, she leveraged her marketing skills to bolster the Navy’s recruitment efforts. At the end of her service, she joined the US Naval Reserves, where she served faithfully until her retirement. Whether shopping for dolls for her nieces while on assignment in Japan or climbing a rope ladder up the side of a ship in the Panama Canal, Melinda was up to the challenge.

Melinda held marketing positions in Washington, DC (where she designed the first graphical representation of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum layout), and Minter’s Department Store in Abilene, TX, before settling at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She was hired by men who doubted that the newspaper really needed marketing, much less that a woman could do it. Determined to prove her worth, she dedicated 34 years of her professional life to embedding the Star-Telegram as a must-have partner within the Fort Worth community. From hanging the Star-Telegram banner at boxing matches at the civic center, to emblazoning their logo across the backs of thousands of Cowtown Marathon shirts, to serving on the board of the Fort Worth Opera, Melinda was the face of the Star-Telegram in Fort Worth. If you were a particularly engaged member of the community, you might find yourself featured in one of Melinda’s “Socialeyes” columns, or nominated for one of the Star Awards, which she managed. One of Melinda’s prize achievements was a series of author events, where she packed Bass Hall with Star-Telegram readers who claimed free tickets to see their favorite authors in person. There was no idea too big that Melinda couldn’t make it happen.

And yet, Melinda did far more than work. She amassed a portfolio of canvases—oils and watercolors depicting her family, her pets, her environs, and stunning close-ups of flowers that would rival a Georgia O’Keefe. She found inspiration in the bold, whimsical designs of Mary Engelbreit and Jim Shore, filling her home and garden with color. Her home was her sanctuary, which she named Dove Cottage after the birds who frequented the branches of her towering hedge of ligustrom. Her siblings, nieces, nephews, and their friends found sanctuary there too, enjoying Melinda’s spare bedroom along with an inside track for tickets to Six Flags, Casa Mañana, Rangers games, Bass Hall, and the Texas State Fair. She didn’t cook much (she’d rather take you out for a steak and a glass of wine, then breakfast at Rise ‘n Shine), but she made a mean meatloaf, and her quiche was legendary in the neighborhood.

At family gatherings, Melinda was known to burst into song (and sometimes dance), joined soon after by her siblings, all singing in harmony. She was completely devoted to her yorkies, Shessie, Blue, Annie, Emily, and Bella, her morkie Ivy, her parents’ spaniel Buffy, and her cat Scruffy. Melinda trained each little one in a variety of essential tricks: saying their prayers, going over and under, dancing, spinning, rolling over, speaking. She was equally committed to training any visiting family member’s dogs.

Melinda started each morning with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. In her working days, she inspected every sponsorship. After retirement, her focus was entirely on the crossword, jumble, and cryptograms. Melinda wrote many books, albeit mostly in her head. She began a book of poetry that embraced her passion for birds and art, inspired by the dove whose call sounded, to Melinda, like it was saying, “Who cooks for you?” She completed a mystery novel, which she never let anyone read, and had plans for a series of illustrated children’s books. The story of her life could be found in lengthy emails and text messages to her family and friends, describing in magnificent detail her latest meal or bird sighting or excursion to Candleridge Park, where she spent hours walking with her boyfriend Sarge, a Chinese swan goose who followed her faithfully around the lake.

Melinda was a committed member of Christ Church Assembly of God (later renamed Movement City Church). Her faith carried her through life’s challenges and she found comfort in her community of ladies who worshipped, studied, and fellowshipped together.

Melinda was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Marilyn, and Marilyn’s husband Brian Schwamkrug. She is survived by Marilyn’s children Lisa Schwamkrug of Dallas and Kyle Schwamkrug of Austin; her brother Russell and his wife Gloria of Lorenzo, and their children Kefalari Mason of Menands, NY, and Melissia Mason of Troy, NY; her sister Martha and her husband Roger Bailey, and their children Jay Bailey and Brittany Bailey and Jay’s daughter Brinley, all of San Angelo; her pups Bella and Ivy; numerous cousins; and many adoring lifelong friends from Ballinger, the Navy, work, and church.

The family will remember Melinda at a service in her hometown of Ballinger, where she will be laid to rest alongside her parents in Old Runnels Cemetery. Rather than sending flowers, plant some in your own garden and remember Melinda fondly each time you look at them, or donate in Melinda’s memory to the church or animal rescue charity of your choice.

A graveside service will be held at Old Runnels Cemetery in Ballinger, Texas, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., with Robert Dillard officiating.