Abb Wesley Mangram

Mr. Abb Wesley Mangram was born on February 24, 1934, in Stamford Texas, to the late Edwin Wesley Mangram and Mattie Mae Mangram. He was the oldest of six children. As his father was a Baptist minister, he accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. Throughout his life, he was affectionately called “Son” by his parents and siblings.

Mr. Mangram displayed an entrepreneurial spirit very early in life, starting a shoe-shining enterprise at San Marcos Army Airfield as a young child. As a teenager, he worked during the summer as a Pullman porter on the passenger rails, traveling from Texas to the western U.S. He often reminisced and shared his memories and challenges of working as an African American porter during segregation.

Mr. Mangram attended Douglas School in El Paso, Texas, where his father served as principal. After graduating from high school, he attended Prairie View A&M College as part of the ROTC program. Majoring in Biology, he graduated in 1954, with his commission as a second lieutenant Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army. In 1957, he became an Army aviation officer and flew fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Although he flew both, he had a fondness for helicopters. His cousin recounted the family’s pride when he “broke the glass ceiling” as one of America’s African American military pilots in the mid-1950s. He always enjoyed conversations with other pilots and encouraged young people to consider a career in aviation.

Mr. Mangram's overseas tours included South Korea and Vietnam. In the 1960s, during the height of the war, he served two tours in Vietnam, as a helicopter pilot. He received the distinguished Purple Heart Medal after he was wounded while serving in Vietnam. During his exemplary military career, he received multiple military awards including the Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Bronze Star. Mr. Mangram also earned the Army's parachute badge and senior aviator badge.

While stationed in Georgia, he met the love of his life, Marguerite. They married on Christmas Eve and from their union, two children were born, Andrea and Abb (Ren). In 2022, Mr. and Mrs. Mangram celebrated sixty-five years of marriage.

After serving back-to-back overseas tours that kept him away from his family, Mr. Mangram decided to leave the Army and received an honorable discharge. His main objective was to always care for, and be with, his family. One of the most memorable family moments was when he flew them across the skies of Alaska. Mr. Mangram started a new career as an aviation marketeer and served as a senior vendor with Singer's Link Flight Simulation Division in Binghamton, New York, and Gould Simulation Systems, Inc. in Crystal City, Virginia. His strong moral and ethical character contributed to the love and respect he received from the employees of both companies.

In August 1981, Mr. Mangram joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, VA, under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Aaron Mackley. He deepened his walk with the Lord as he enjoyed the worship and fellowship experience at Mt. Olive.

Although a native Texan, he became a Washington Redskins fan. Some of his most enjoyable moments were when the Redskins defeated his son’s and daughter’s team, the Dallas Cowboys. He loved watching old Western movies and telling stories about his life experiences. He enjoyed talking on the phone with classmates from Prairie View, Army buddies, and relatives - especially his cousin, Willie Mae Arseneaux, who was a pillar of encouragement during the past few years.

Mr. Mangram enjoyed researching products in his Consumer Reports magazines. He was referred to as a walking encyclopedia by some of his neighbors. He taught his children to use Consumer Reports before making any purchases and provided them with annual subscriptions.

He was a very generous man, who took great pleasure in supporting charitable causes and those in need. He proved that, with God, all things are possible and that you can succeed with love, determination, strength, and grace.

On Monday, August 21st, Mr. Mangram was called home to be with the Lord while surrounded by his loving family as his favorite hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” played.

Mr. Mangram was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Mattie Mangram, his sister Judy Mangram-Carlisle, and his special cousin, Turner Odell Ladd. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Mrs. Marguerite Mangram; daughter: Andrea Simmons (Rev. Jewel), of Chantilly VA.; son: Abb R. Mangram, of Burke, VA; three sisters: Sallie Berry of El Paso, TX, Edwina Leverett ( Retired COL. JD), of Springfield VA; and Nancy Glosson of Carrollton, TX; one brother: Richard Mangram, of Saint Paul, MN; one granddaughter: Peitra Simmons of Emporia, VA; adopted sister in Christ, Joan Holliday of Arlington, VA and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, military veterans, and dear friends.

In Lieu of flowers, please kindly consider a donation to the Dementia Society of America or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Interment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.