Bonnie Jean Mann

Bonnie Jean Mann, Age 91, of Austin, TX, passed away June 23, 2016. She was known to her friends and family as Jean. She was born in Venus, TX on October 31, 1924. She grew up in Venus, graduated early from her high school class, and attended North Texas State University. World War II had started, so she quit school to go to work for the war effort.

On July 19, 1944 Jean married Billy M. Mann in Corpus Christi, TX and they were married for over 71 years. Their 72nd anniversary would have been on July 19th of this year. She was a devoted wife who worked with the American National Bank in Austin, TX, after the war in order to support her husband through the University of Texas. She continued to participate with him in his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. accounting firm.

She was a lifelong Baptist and was a member of First Baptist Church of Austin at the time of her death. She was also a member of Baptist churches in Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Ft. Worth, TX, Denver, CO, and Seattle, WA. Churches included Lakewood Baptist Church in Dallas where she first started teaching Sunday School to young adults, many of whom are still friends today. She also was a leader in the Women’s Missionary Union and in her other Sunday School classes at all her churches.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was really "with it”! Her home was full of creativity and talent. She sewed beautiful clothes for her daughters, nieces, nephews, and friends. She branched out to designing homes with an eye for beauty and class. We all learned from her impeccable taste and skill. She was known as Deb and Barb’s Mom who, if anything had to be done for them or their friends, her arms were wide open to help.

Her ability to converse about anything, any time, anywhere showed her character and interest in others, as can be seen by the hundreds of friends she had through churches, Arthur Andersen, and wherever she lived. She was an amazing woman, smart, charming, insightful, and as funny as she could be.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Billy, her parents Macon and Willie Grace Rice, and her in-laws Earl Key and Dorothy and Grady Henly. She is survived by daughters Debra Mann of Austin, TX and Dr. Barbra Mann Wall of Charlottesville, VA; grandsons William Austin Wall of Austin, TX and Adam Wall (wife Michelle) of South Bend, IN; and her granddaughter Angilee Wall Scaramuzzino (husband Francesco) of London, England; sister Barbara Key; nieces, Becky Key Norsworthy, Linda Key Willingham, and Linda Henly Appleton; nephews Greg Key, Bill Henly, and Dan Henly.

Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity, Austin, TX 78701; the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Enquiry, University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA.; or the Billy and Jean Mann Endowed Football Program Scholarship, payable to the University of Texas, c/o the Longhorn Foundation, P.O. Box 7399, Austin, TX 78713, attention Amy Folan.

Honorary Pall Bearers will be Richard Alvarado, Sharmon and Chuck Bailey, Amy and Chip Brees, Cindy and John Cantwell, Gena and Neil Griffin, Mary and Dan Morrison, Carol and Donald Redman, Chuck Willingham, and Carly and Kenan Yayboke.

A graveside service will be held Monday, June 27, 2016 at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery at 10:30 am followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Austin, 901 Trinity. Condolences may be expressed at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.

Jean’s daughters, Deb and Barb, say that she was, and always will be their rock and their great mother that only God can create. They wish to thank all of the wonderful support from their friends and family.