Masako Jean Searcy

Passed away peacefully on March 7, 2011 at her home.

Masako Matsuo was born on February 7, 1927 in Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Japan. She faced many hardships growing up in wartime.

While working in Japan, she met her future husband USAF Sgt. Paul Searcy, they were married on October 28, 1952.

The following year she came to America to begin a new life. Most important to her was learning to cook American food which she did with the help of her well used Betty Crocker cookbook. We will miss her Southern Fried Chicken, Roast Beef, her award winning Apple and Cherry pies, to name a few, she could make anything from Sushi, Curry, and Sukiyaki, to Fried Grits. Eating in was always better than eating out.

It was also important for her to become an American Citizen, which she did on May 2, 1961, in New Albany, Indiana, an accomplishment she was very proud of.

Masako loved cooking, baking, gardening, and taking care of her family, she was well known for being a seamstress; she always had sewing projects to do for family, friends, and neighbors. She would always say not to worry she could fix it.

One of her great joys came when she was 50, she learned to drive, which opened a new world of independence for her. Masako worked for a few years at Big Bend Community College, as an interpreter for the Japanese Agricultural Training Department, a job she loved.

Her greatest joy in life besides the births of her children was the birth of her only Grandchild, Carson in January 2009; she was a very proud Grandma.

She will always be missed, and never forgotten, she left us with many warm memories, and important life lessons, to be the best that we can be, to be kind and compassionate to others, and to always wash our faces and comb our hair before leaving the house!

Masako is survived by her husband of 58 years, 2 Sons, 1 Daughter, Son In Law, Daughter In Law, 1 Grandson, 7 Granddogs, 2 Sister's In Law, nieces, nephews, family in Japan, friends and acquaintences she met throughout her life. At her request no services will be held.