Shelba Jean Dunn Mason of Raleigh passed away Friday, November 29, 2024, after fighting cancer for over eight years. She was 88 years old.

Jean was born in Johnston County, NC, to the late Robert Walter Dunn and Allie Mae Lee Dunn. She was raised on a farm with her five brothers and sisters.

After graduation from high school, she married the love of her life, O.B., that rowdy farm boy from down the road that teased her while they worked together in the cotton fields as kids. They left the farm, started careers and then a family, raising two sons.

Jean started her career as a bookkeeper. She eventually joined an insurance agency and then became a claims adjuster for the St Paul Insurance Company. She was one of the first (maybe The First) woman to become an outside claims field adjuster, a position previously held only by men. She retired as a Managing Claims Adjuster after over 30 years with St Paul.

After retirement, Jean joined her husband O.B. in their second careers in the rental business. They bought several properties around Raleigh and on the N.C. coast that they managed for several years. As O.B. was out wheeling and dealing, Jean worked behind the scenes to make sure everything clicked.

Jean enjoyed being a part of her community. Throughout her career, she was active in the Insurance Women’s Association, serving in several positions and winning many awards. She was active in the Garner Jaycettes, serving as President one year. She was a faithful member of the Garner Advent Christian Church for over sixty years.

Jean loved working crossword puzzles and she loved to cook. At family gatherings, everyone made a beeline for her Chicken Pastry before it was all gone. O.B. and Jean spent many happy summers entertaining their family and friends at the beach. Her favorite past time was spending time with her family and spoiling all the grandkids.

Jean will always be remembered as a wonderful loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband O.B. Mason Jr, son Stephen Mason, brothers Robert Dunn and Charles Dunn, sisters Allene Dunn and Brenda Byrd.

She is survived by her son Stacey Mason and wife Yvonne, daughter in law Ann Gooch and husband Gary, brother Sherwood Dunn and wife Janet, 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Garner Advent Christian Church, in memory of Jean and O.B. Mason.