Obituary of Ollie Lee Mason

Obituary of Ollie Mason As the daughter of a pioneer African- American physician in Dallas, Ollie Lee McMillan may have been destined for a career in the health care profession. But during sixty years of nursing she continually challenged herself by exploring new medical fields and, in the process, became a pioneer herself in several areas. After graduating from Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. in 1929, Ollie Lee McMillan returned to Dallas and became Chief Nurse at the sanitarium opened by her father Dr. W.R. McMillan in 1921. The sanitarium specialized in surgery and obstetrics, and her work there inspired Ms. McMillan to enroll at Belleview hospital in New York for a year's study in obstetrics. While in New York she married attorney Duane B. Mason, and the couple returned to Dallas. In 1937 Mrs. Mason became the first African-American nurse to be employed at Parkland Hospital, serving as Night Supervisor on the Obstetrics Division. After four years at Parkland, she became a public health nurse, working for the Dallas Health Department. In 1948 she was chosen to study nursing of premature infants at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago for a year; on her return to Dallas she resumed her work with the Health Department teaching the care of premature babies in clinics throughout Dallas. After two years as a school nurse with the Dallas Independent School District, Mrs. Mason took a leave of absence to study at Case Western Reese University in Cleveland, Ohio. There she received a B.S. degree in nursing. She next enrolled at the Graham Bell School to earn a certificate in audiometric testing. On her return to the D.I.S.D., she became a hearing technician and worked in this field for fourteen years. Ready for new challenges, in 1972 Mrs. Mason joined the Peace Corps. After completing studies in Jamaica, she was sent to Mauritius, an island on the Indian Ocean. As part of a team that included nurses and doctors from around the world. Mrs. Mason helped establish a nursery for premature infants on the island. On her return to Dallas, Mrs. Mason went to work at Tremont Health Care Center, where she remained until her retirement in December 1989. Looking back over her long and varied nursing career. Mrs. Mason attributes her accomplishments to the fact that she that she" prayed ferverently, daily" and had faith that "God would take care of me every step of the way." She leaves to cherish her memories: 2 daughters, Sandra Ruth Dixon of Colorado Springs, CO, and Anne Young of Dallas, TX, 8 grandchildren, Cecile Dixon, Michael Dixon, Christopher Dixon, Leah Young, Dana Kelly, Chika Emejulu, Eme Emejulu and Akwugo Emejulu; 2 great grandchildren, Elon Emejulu and Anaya Emejulu.