Margaret Mason Moore Barrett

Surrounded by her loved ones, Margaret Mason Moore Barrett died at her home in Waynesville on September 12, 2025. She was 93. Mason was a native of York, SC. She was the daughter of Robert Hanna Moore, Sr. and Margaret Bratton Moore. Also predeceasing her were her brother Robert Hanna Moore, Jr. and his wife, Lois; two beloved aunts, Virginia Carroll (Earnest), George Staton (Burt); and her husband, James Sherer Barrett, who died in 2007. Mason was Jim’s loving caregiver throughout his illness.

Mason fell in love with the mountains of Western North Carolina as a young girl, when she and her best friend would ride the train to summer camp near Hendersonville. Mason and Jim spent their honeymoon at Lake Fontana. They built their home at Lake Junaluska in 1966 and spent many summers and holidays there with their children and grandchildren. Jim's career as a United Methodist minister, college administrator and foundation executive took them to several different cities, but the family always considered Lake Junaluska their home. Mason and Jim built their retirement home In Waynesville in 2003.

Mason was an athlete who enjoyed playing tennis and golf. She loved hosting family and friends, playing board games and card games. Her family and friends always looked forward to her homemade cinnamon rolls. She also enjoyed watching sports and classic movies, reading, word puzzles and birdwatching against the backdrop of “her” beautiful mountains.

Mason was a graduate of Longwood College, Farmville, Virginia, where she was a member of the basketball team, and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. In 1955, Mason married her childhood friend and college sweetheart, Jim Barrett. She taught school briefly but chose to become a full-time wife and mother. She was very involved in her children's education and extracurricular activities. She was a Scout leader, room mother, and basketball coach. She was a loving caretaker for her mother and aunts. After her children were grown, Mason began practicing the art of calligraphy. A hobby at first, calligraphy eventually became a part-time career. She was highly in demand for her beautiful hand-lettered wedding invitations and award certificates.

Mason was an active volunteer and generous philanthropist in every community she lived in. In Spartanburg, she served 12 years on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Cleveland Home and was a member of Central United Methodist Church. In Waynesville, she was a dedicated volunteer and donated generously to Haywood Christian Ministry and the Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation. She was a former president of the Master’s Pointe Homeowners Association. At the time of her death, she was a member of Waynesville First United Methodist Church and worshipped via the video ministry.

An expert golfer, Mason was a former member of Waynesville Country Club, the Waynesville Golf Association, and the Waynesville Women’s Golf Association. She cherished the friends she made on the golf course.

Mason was the matriarch of a large close family who adored her and will miss her daily. She often said her family meant everything to her. Left to cherish her memory are children Alex and Pam Barrett of Greensboro; Rob and Angela Barrett of Spartanburg; Ginny and Don Patten of Lake Junaluska; grandchildren Philip (Susie), Mason (CiCi), Hunter (Mandalin), Rachel (Wil) Mason (Berkley). Saragrace (Ramiro). Mac, Will, and Emily; great-grandchildren Oaklee, Diego and Hendrix. A fourth great grandchild is due in March. Several nieces and nephews and their families also survive her.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Rose Hill Cemetery, 229 E. Liberty St., York, S.C. A celebration of Mason’s full and happy life will be held in Waynesville at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Jim and Mason Barrett Fund at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, 4 Vanderbilt Park Dr. #300, Asheville, NC 28803. (cfwnc.org). Haywood Christian Ministry, PO Box 628, Waynesville, NC 28786 (hcmnc.org), or to your favorite Democratic candidate.

The care of Ms. Barrett has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.