Mary Lou Mann
Mary
Lou Mann of Cleveland, passed away on Tuesday, Jan., 16, 2018. She was 89.
Mary
Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Ceton and Ollie Lewis; her husband,
James Mann; brothers: Glenn Lewis, J.B. Lewis, and Brownlow Lewis; and a
sister, Pauline Lee.
She is survived by her sisters: Georgia Phillips, Mattie
Sather, and Betty Freeman; sister-in-law, Irene Lewis; son, Steve Mann; daughter, Shelley Mann Brown; son-in-law, Jay
Brown; grandson, Brandon Whipple; granddaughter, Kristen Tanner; grandson-in-law, Alex Tanner; and two great-grandchildren: Jesse and Kaleigh
Grace Tanner.
She lived life in complete surrender to the Lord of her life, Jesus Christ. She
was a woman of strong faith who believed in the power and strength of her Lord.
To be in her presence for any length of time was to experience firsthand the
fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
She quietly served alongside her many friends at First United Methodist
church of Cleveland. She was involved in the United Methodist Women's
group, the Bereavement support Group, and the Saint Andrew's Sunday School
Class. It was said of her by many of her
friends that she has a special gift for drawing people into her circles of friendship.
She made herself available to serve anytime there was a need.
She had a special
passion for projects that enriched the lives of the children at the Holston
Home for children in Greeneville. At the time of her passing, her calendar
was filled with future acts of service as she never stopped pressing onward.
She
was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and
friend. Her children will forever treasure
the greatest gift she left them, her life's example of a Godly woman, lived
humbly and quietly.
ln
her earlier years, she enjoyed traveling to all parts of the world with her
husband, Jim. ln her most recent years, she enjoyed traveling throughout the
United States with her many friends from church and the Cleveland area. Her
adult children frequently enjoyed sitting with her and questioning her about
her travels.
Ralph
Buckner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Steve and Shelley invite all
who knew and loved Mary Lou to come and share some laughter and some tears
with them during her visitation Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the service at
1 p.m.. She will be interred along-side her husband at Sunset Memorial Gardens
in Cleveland, following the service.
Steven Mann, Jay Brown, Brandon
Whipple, Alex Tanner, Ken Adcock and Ernest Adams will serve as pallbearers. A
white dove release ceremony and bagpipes will conclude the service.
In
lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Holston Home for children in Greeneville.
From
her children and grandchildren, a special thank you to all that loved and
embraced her for so many years. We took great comfort knowing you were a part
of her life. And, to her brothers and sisters in Christ, be encouraged, for her
passing isn’t “good-bye”, but rather, “good-night,” for we know we will see her
again.
“Her
children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28
We
invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Mann guestbook at
www.ralphbuckner.com.
