Avá Maria Lee Madison Mason-Henney

Avá Maria Lee Madison Mason-Henney of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on February 5, 2021.  Avá was born on July 7th in Milan, Tennessee to mother, Ada (Mason) Taylor, who preceded her in death in 2010.  She grew up in Milan with her grandparents, Berry and Willie (Hicks) Mason.  She was one of the first to integrate Polk-Clark Schools. Later, Avá moved to Indianapolis and has made Indianapolis her home since then. Avá was a life-long learner.  She was proud to have finished not one, not two, but THREE bachelor’s degrees from the University of Indianapolis.  Her degrees were in Com Systems, Psychology and Business Administration. Avá professed her faith in Christ at an early age.  She used her spiritual gifts in a variety of capacities. She dabbled in the arts singing in the radio choir, playing the bass guitar, and acting in plays. As a mentor she worked with the youth, and taught Sunday School. She also served as an altar worker, as well as an accountant in the finance department. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, at the time of her passing. Avá met the love of her life, Joshua Henney, on the campus of Butler University in 1995.  The two were wed in an impromptu ceremony at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel of the Stars in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 23rd, 1996.  A love story that has stood the test of time for almost 25 years. Avá’s greatest accomplishment was being mother to her beloved daughter, Tanaria Maria Aurora Henney. The two loved to spend their free time together watching horror movies or Lifetime dramas and shopping. Avá was content as a homebody, but she also enthralled herself in many projects: sanding floors, painting, spearheading two construction projects and then decorating the space   Most of her time, though, was devoted to homeschooling Tanaria. A teaching natural, Avá often exceeded school hours planning lessons. Avá will be lovingly missed by her devoted husband, Joshua Henney; daughter, Tanaria Henney; brother, Danny C. (Janice) Mason; in laws John (Judy) Henney, and Mary Lou Shook. She also leaves to cherish her memory best friend and cousin Pam Brown, as well as many other extended family members and beloved friends. Services will be held privately on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at Flanner Buchanan-Broad Ripple.  Family and friends may view the services virtually at Avá Mason-Henney Funeral Service.