On Sunday, December 8, 2024, our beloved Masie Lavender, 84, was called home to be with the Lord.

Masie, the eldest daughter of twelve children, was born on August 9, 1940, in Fairfield, Alabama, to the late Iola Hudson Lavender and Ross W. Lavender, Sr. She was a woman of deep faith and compassion, and her life was a testament to love, dedication, and service.

Masie worked at First National Bank and St. John Hospital (Trinity) for over 45 years, where she left a lasting legacy of care and kindness. She was known for her unwavering dedication to her work and for how she loved and cared for everyone she encountered. After 45 years of service, Masie was highly respected by her colleagues and held high regard for her commitment and passion for her work. She was a proud graduate from Steubenville Big Red and loved supporting her daughter who played in the band and could be found concession stand
Her love for others extended beyond her professional life. Masie was an active member of her home church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Steubenville, Ohio, where she served for over 70 years. She poured her heart into the church, serving in various capacities and always ready to help. Masie loved singing songs of praise to the Lord and Savior, even until her transition, as she knew where her help came from. She would sing the songs, At the cross and Lord do it for Me!

As described in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." One word that truly describes Masie was Peacemaker. As the matriarch of the Lavender family, Masie was a source of love, peace, and strength. She cherished her daughter, grandchildren, and extended family, and she played a pivotal role in raising nearly all of her siblings' children. For this, we are all blessed. Masie was the heart and soul of the family, and her home was always a place of gathering, celebration, and joy, filled with food, fun, fellowship, and dancing.

Masie was preceded in death by her loving parents, Iola and Ross Lavender, Sr.; her sister, Gussie L. Culbreath; and two brothers, Harold E. Lavender and Ross W. Lavender, Jr. She was also preceded by her niece, Quiana Lavender.

Left to cherish her memory and legacy are her beloved daughter, Diane Lavender (Antwan White); her grandchildren, Dale Benson, Jonika Strickland (Daniel), and Justin Marion; and her great-grandchildren Jalayah Strickland, Zahara Harris, Brayden Benson, Syncere Benson, Andre Benson, Reign Marion.

Masie also leaves behind her devoted sister, Isabelle Lavender, with whom she lived all her life; sisters Rosemary Cain, Latricia Solomon, and Tonya Lavender, all of Steubenville, Ohio; Sister-in-law, Rose Lavender and brothers Robert Lavender (Delores) of Kansas City, MO, Curtis Lavender, and Lorenzo (Renita) Lavender of Steubenville, OH. She is also survived by her uncle Cornwallis Hudson of Birmingham, Alabama, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and extended family, and friends who loved her dearly.

Masie will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but we take comfort in the knowledge that she is now at peace with her Lord.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service, at noon, at the Gregory-Martin Chapel, 255 S. 7th Street, Steubenville, Ohio.