Friday, April 9, 2021

Kandy Sanderson Mason, Rest in Peace

Earth lost an angel as heaven gained one.  Kandy Sanderson Mason passed away earlier this week.  She was one of those sweet souls who made the world a better place and touched everyone around her. 

She managed the Lakeland Courthouse for many years.  The Blacks may have owned the Courthouse but Kandy was the Courthouse.  She fit the classic definition of a Southern woman: a bulldozer disguised as a powder puff.  She had nary a cross word to say about anyone and brightened many a day with her infectious smile. If she had to give you bad news, you could tell doing so pained her to no end.  Some took advantage of her but she always bore the slight with a patient look. 

She could take a joke and give a joke in return.  The March of Dimes once held an annual jail & bail fund-raiser every year.  A um, certain someone signed a warrant for her and two deputies went and took her into custody while she was working at the Courthouse.  They took her down to the March of Dimes "jail."  Oddly enough, her husband was a HCSO dispatcher at the time and was quite surprised when he radio the deputies on something else and found out his wife riding downtown in the back seat.  Once in jail, the imprisoned had to seek donations from friends to raise money for their "bail."  Naturally, she raised the money in one phone call while the other employee arrested spent several hours in custody before he made bail.  Intuitive as always, she figured out pretty quickly who the culprit but no well-deserved revenge was taken (thank goodness) but instead she laughed even more about the prank. 

Never blessed with children, she made everyone else her child. She was a mother or sister to all.  Her Facebook page is a scrapbook of the many people who started that precious first job under her watch. She had a talent for picking the right people. If the Courthouse needed someone to work, she had a cousin or someone's kid stuffed somewhere she would just hire.  The kids were always polite, hard-working, and rarely fired. The kids usually turned out to be pretty successful in life.   Oddly enough, UMC suffered major turnover problems despite its battery of background checks, drug tests, physical exams for what were cashiers and towelboys.  The fancy-schmancy HR Department somehow couldn't match her nose for people.   

Then there were the animals.  She had a special place in her heart for animals.  Her land was a sanctuary of sorts for goats, rabbits, pigs, chickens, ducks, and of course, dogs.  She was always rescuing a littler of puppies or some dog on the side of the road.  She cheerfully took care of all as they knew she was their friend. 

However, all good things end one day, such is the certainty of life. She received the discouraging news she suffered from breast cancer a few years ago.  She took it on as everything else in life: head-on with no excuses. The treatments may have taken away her hair but they never dulled her eyes nor quenched her spirit. 

She made that regular trip to MD Anderson so many have made and at one time, it was in remission.   Unfortunately, the cancer came back a few weeks ago with a vengeance.  The doctors told her she had at most ten months to live but she bore the news with the grace that was her code, knowing the pain would soon end.   Ten months was not to be as she survived a little more than a month. 

Kandy Sanderson Mason ran her race.  Now she takes a rest as she enjoys the fruits of the spirit that so defined her soul.  Farewell old friend, you will be missed. You meant more to many than you will ever know.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful lady from First Baptist Jackson. RIP

Anonymous said...

Wonderful tribute for her. Thank you!

~ Former Lakeland Courthouse regular.

Anonymous said...

This woman sounds like an angel on earth. I wish I had known her. May she rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

Safe journey, Kandy.

Anonymous said...

Loved this lady. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known. Her smile could light a room. She will be missed by many.

Unknown said...

One of my dearest friends! There will never be another Kandy! I will miss her so much. Thanks for using my video Jackson Jambalaya.

Anonymous said...

As an electrician I worked with Kandy for many years at the courthouse . She
was a warm Christian person, a good manager,nice and polite to everyone she met.I have seen her pick people up at a low point in their life when no one else would. We will probably never know the extent of her good works here on earth. A big thanks to Kingfish for the wonderful tribute to her life.






























she

Missed by many said...

Beautiful tribute to a one-of-a-kind lady. Kandy WAS the Courthouse. Every member was her friend and we all loved her. I just hope she knew how much.

Anonymous said...

Nice Memories. RIP Kandy.

Anonymous said...

Kandy gave me my first job as a towel boy at the NE Courthouse in the early 90’s. She was tough but fair and expected you to do your job. She helped so many people and i owe her a big thanks for what i learned and the relationships i made. She will be missed!


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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