Helen Mason, a 93-year-old woman from Moncure, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on March 15, 2020. She was known for her straightforward yet passionate approach to helping others, especially within her New Elam Christian Church family. Helen was born on October 12, 1926, and embodied the physical and mental toughness characteristic of many North Carolina farming families during the Great Depression. Throughout World War II, Helen worked alongside her family to support her community.
In May 1947, she married Robert Mason, and together they raised two daughters and were proud of their five grandchildren.
Helen's death was part of a tragic incident that also claimed the lives of six other family members in what was determined to be a murder-suicide. The suspect, 66-year-old Larry Ray, shot and killed his wife, Jeanie Ray, before going across the street to Helen Mason's home and shooting her, along with her cousins Ellis and Lisa Mansfield. He then went to another home and killed John and Nicole Sanderford before taking his own life. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown.
The community of Moncure was deeply affected by this tragedy, and law enforcement officers from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation were involved in the investigation. Sheriff Mike Roberson expressed the community's sense of loss and encouraged survivors to seek emotional support through various assistance networks.
Helen Mason's legacy lives on through her family and the impact she had on her community. Her life was a testament to resilience, devotion to family, and a commitment to helping others.
