Barbara Jean Jackson Mann

Barbara was born in Buckhorn, Texas on September 22, 1931. In Buckhorn, she attended school in a little two room school house and developed her love of reading and literature of all kinds. As a young child, she memorized Kipling’s poem “Mandalay” and as an adult fulfilled her dream of traveling to see ancient Burma.

Barbara was brought up on ranches in Bellville and Buckhorn, Texas, where she learned to lasso and ride horses while watching her father and brothers raise horses and cattle.

Being very proud of her Texas heritage, she would teach her daughters her knowledge of Texas history with many colorful stories. At just 7 years old, she traveled a great distance with young classmates and their teacher to the San Jacinto monument dedication of April 21, 1939, which commemorated the decisive battle of San Jacinto 100 years earlier that brought freedom to Texas from Mexico. Often, she reminded her daughters that it was at that battle “Remember the Alamo” was cried to rally the Texas soldiers onto their victory that would lead Texas to independence and eventually statehood.

She particularly enjoyed recounting stories of her great uncle who was the first elected sheriff in Austin County, Texas. In 1840 he had to sign a contract that he would not participate in a duel.

She talked fondly of her summer vacation visits with her Aunt Eleanor in Galveston and Houston where she admitted to being happily spoiled by her aunt and older cousins.

As a young adult, she enjoyed her time as the executive secretary for the president of Humble Oil and Superior Oil companies in Houston where she met dignitaries who came through the offices.

She would often count the many wonderful memories of her times living with her husband and young daughters in Casablanca, Morocco and Paris, France.

It was her love of world history that provided constant study for the family’s travels through North Africa, Asia and Europe.

She and her husband treasured their times watching their grandchildren grow up and especially spending time with her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Harvey Mann, her mother Avy Viola Ferguson, her father William Prentiss Jackson, Sr., brothers William Prentiss Jackson, Jr. and Joseph Melville Jackson.

She is survived by her sister Mary Evelyn Aiken of Tyler, Texas, daughter Barbara Patrice Newman (son-in-law David Harold Newman) of Greensboro, N.C. and daughter Melanie Renee Mann of Vincenza, Italy, her grandchildren Jonathan Harold Newman (wife Anna Nicodemus Newman) of Walkersville, MD, Andrew Mattison Newman (wife Meghan McNamara Newman) of Taylors, SC and Hannah Briers Newman of Los Angeles, CA. In addition, survivors include her nine great grandchildren: Benjamin Harold Newman, Daniel Frederick Newman, Ezra John Newman, Katie Grace Newman, Knox Downey Newman, Maryn Jackson Newman, Maeve Mattison Newman, Matilda Reese Newman and McKenzie Nance Newman.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers of Vera Springs at Abbotswood for their many years of exceptional care and attention for their mother.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, N.C. on Friday, February 28, 2025 followed by a graveside service at Hawfields Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mebane, N.C. at 2:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, N.C. 27401 or to Monuments Men and Women Foundation, 4447 North Central Expressway, Suite 110, #338, Dallas, Texas 75205.