Ruth Lorena (Lore) DeJohn Mason was born January 31,1966 and passed away in Houston, Texas on January 23, 2020. She was a life-long resident of Houston, known as Lore to her family and close friends and recognized as Ruth Mason in her professional involvement across the state of Texas. A woman of deep faith, Lore served her church through the worship ministry team, as a choir member, a band member for many years, and a leader in children's choir. She also served as a past teacher in Mom's Day Out, participated in women's Bible studies on a regular basis, and was instrumental in ministering to children with disability and their families in the church.

Ruth invested her life and love in hundreds of people across the state of Texas who were the subject of her prayers and expertise, blessed by her wisdom and brilliant mind. She was a dedicated and fearless advocate for children and adults with disability, both in the Texas Capitol and at state agencies, improving access to education, healthcare, and employment supports, in order to avoid institutionalization. She advocated with, and furthered the missions of: the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (Council Member); Texas Parent to Parent (Advocate of the Year); The Arc of Texas (Public Policy Committee); Down Syndrome Association of Houston (Board Member, Legislative Chair); and The Harris Center (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Planning Advisory Council). Ruth was previously employed by Disability Rights Texas, helping to protect people with disability who reside in institutions.

Last but certainly not least, Lore was her own persistent and determined advocate throughout her battle with ALS. With just her eyes to communicate via ocular technology, she was able to communicate distinctly with an array of specialized doctors and medical staff, amazing them with her attention to detail and retention of facts as well as her broad-based knowledge of the disease itself.

Apart from her love for Christ, her greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her loving husband of twenty-nine years, Michael Mason, and her two sons, William, 29, and Samuel, 24, of Houston. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Ruth Cooper of West Columbia, TX; her brother, Dave DeJohn of Houston; and her sister, Alice Janz of Pittsburgh, PA.

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, January 30 at Houston NW Church at 1:30 PM. 19911 S.H. 249, Houston, 77070. Interment will be held in a private service for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Down Syndrome Association of Houston (https://dsah.org/donate) or ALS Texas (https://www.alstexas.org/donate/).