Bonnie Mann

“As with all things, there comes a time for passing on, and that moment touches each of our lives.”

Mom was born in Eldon, Miller County, Missouri, on February 1, 1931, to James Henry Smails III and Verna Mary Matilda Lipton.

She spent her childhood in various places as her father, an electrician, worked on numerous electrical projects and dams across the country. Among the places she fondly recalled were Seattle, Washington; the Lake of the Ozarks area in Missouri; and San Antonio, Texas.

Mom was an extraordinary woman of intellect and grace. Despite growing up during the Depression and World War II (the Silent Generation) with limited formal education, she achieved remarkable accomplishments. In the mid-1960s and early 1970s long before computers were common in the business world—she taught herself computer programming. She pursued many interests with passion, including painting, photography (developing her own photos in a closet darkroom), rock and quartz collecting, and playing tennis with her good friend Carmen.

In San Antonio, Mom met an Air Force airman—our dad, William Johnson “Jay” Mann. They were married on January 1, 1954, and together raised three children:

William Johnson “Dusty” Mann Jr.** and wife Robin

Pamela Dawn “Sissy” Mann** and husband Peter Houck

Alan Shepard Mann** and wife Chong

Mom took great pride in her grandchildren:

James Douglas Mann (Sissy), Shawna Lynn Tecua (Dusty), Jessica Lee Kennedy (Dusty), Katie Marie Budryk and husband Tom (Sissy), Douglas Jay Houck and wife Valerie (Sissy), Heather Nicole Mann (Alan), Peter Nichols Houck (Sissy), Stefanie Elise McNulty and husband Matt (Dusty), Alan Shepard Mann Jr. (Alan), and Kyle William Johnson Mann (Dusty).

She was also step-grandmother to Adrianne Marie Scott, Lauren Anne Scott, and Briana Jean Scott (Dusty).

Mom’s life was touched by both joy and sorrow. We sadly lost Sissy in December 2020; she and Peter Houck had been married since August 1983.

In addition to her grandchildren, Mom was blessed with 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of Bon Secours St. Joseph’s Nursing Home for the care they provided.

Her legacy lives on in all of us in our memories, our stories, and in the love she gave so generously throughout her life.