Ernestine Simpson Mask's Obituary
Ernestine Simpson Mask was born on August 19, 1940, the daughter of the late Ernest Simpson and Rebecca Thompson in Galveston, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard Lee Thompson, and her loving husband Dan A. Mask, Sr. just a few months short of their 50th wedding anniversary. Ernestine was raised in the fellowship of Sunlight Baptist Church in Galveston, TX. She attended Central High School and graduated in the Class of 1958. After graduation, in pursuit of her dream to become a teacher, Ernestine attended the historic Houston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas. On campus, Ernestine was lovingly referred to as “Miss It” among her friends because she always had whatever you needed at the ready in her possession. Ernestine excelled in her education, and she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Science. She also became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Upon obtaining her degree, she found her first teaching position as a science teacher at Ralph Bunche High School in Crockett, Texas. There she met and fell in love with the tallest man, and fellow teacher, she had ever seen – the 6’6″ Dan Mask. From the moment they met, it was destined they would share a lifetime of love together. The couple married on August 26, 1967 and moved to Houston to start their journey.Ernestine taught high school science in the subjects of Physical Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology – she was a very smart woman! Mrs. Mask, or “The Mask” as some students called her, was a popular and much-loved teacher. She made learning fun, and she continued to stay connected with her students as they progressed in their lives over the years. Having taught in Houston and Kansas City as her family moved around, she spent the last 20 years of her teaching career inspiring students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. She proudly displayed her “Woodrow Wilson Science Department” license cover on the back of her car for all to see. She also taught several summers at Southern Methodist University in the Upward Bound High School initiative program. In between the rigors of teaching, she earned a Masters of Education Degree at the University of Texas at Dallas on August 25, 1984. Part of the curriculum included an extended trip to Italy – that trip became one of her favorite international trips during her lifetime. Ernestine retired in 2008 and was recognized by the National Education Association in celebration of her 45 years of dedication to public education on May 16, 2008. Travel was one of Ernestine’s favorite pastimes. She enjoyed traveling with her husband to many places to visit relatives and close friends. Over the years, she accompanied Dan on several trips with his beloved Pro-Duffers USA – Southwest Chapter. Her youngest daughter was also an avid golfer, and Ernestine found joy in both attending her daughter’s golf tournaments and organizing a binder of all the scorecards and press clippings she could find. A very proud grandmother, she was thrilled to be known as MiMi to her youngest grandson, Graham. She was an avid reader, and she thoroughly enjoyed keeping up with current events. She is survived by her three children, Dorothy Mask Boykin, Dan A. Mask, II, and Danielle Mask Gomez. She has three grandchildren, Dan A. Mask, III, Jasmine Jackson, and two-year-old Graham Allen Gomez. She is also survived by her siblings, Joyce Simpson Boone, Ronald Charles Thompson, Paul Edward Thompson, and Vanessa Thompson Curtis. She also has a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, former students, and special friends. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:30 p.m, Friday, May 18, 201,8 in the Restland Funeral HomeMemorial Chapel with visitation one hour prior of the service.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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