Opal M. Mann

Our dear mother, Opal Mae Mann, sadly passed away on June 29, 2023, at the age of 92. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, sister and aunt who was always there when needed. She had many friends and was a well-loved community member. She was born to the late John and Minnie Render on July 30, 1930 in Carrollton, Georgia. Mom had many accomplishments throughout her life. She was a community pillar and a lifelong member of East Washington Street Church of God, where she received her Certificate of Ordination as Deacon in 1985. Mom also served as a Sunday school teacher, a church choir director, and a member of the Ministerial Alliance Organization. She was instrumental in securing funding to open a community center on Washington Street which provided a safe haven for children to learn and attend vacation bible school and other activities and events. Mom received her nursing assistant certification through Southeastern Illinois College, later working for Carrier Mills Nursing Home Rehabilitation Center and Saline Care Nursing Home.in Harrisburg, Illinois. Mom received and award from Wabash Area Development, Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start Program for outstanding volunteer service and served as a food service worker at Carrier Mills/Stonefort Grade School. Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Mann, daughter Cathy Mann, Sisters Evelyn Sharpe and Marie Smaw, brothers Larry Render and J.W. Render, sister-in-laws Annie Latham, Artie Bell Wisdom, Margaret Mann, Alice Mann, brother-in-laws Grady Mann, Samuel Mann, George Mann and daughter-in-law Delinthia Mann. In 1947 Mom married the late Jessie Mann. Opals and Jessie's surviving children are Cynthia Jones of Grand Rapids, MI; Jerome (Portia) Mann of Ypsilanti, MI; Phyllis Carter of Potomac, MD; Jennifer Mann of Marietta, GA; Frederick Mann of San Diego, CA; Alim Abdullah of Tacoma, WA; Crystal Woods of San Diego, CA; Michael Mann & David Mann both of Carrier Mills, IL; Howard Mann of Harrisburg, IL; Jeffrey Mann of Atlanta, GA and Annette (Kenneth) Taylor of Decatur, GA. Her surviving siblings are Johnnie Mae Powell, Bobby Render and sister-in-laws Jane Render, Harriet Render and Letha Render. Grandchildren include Joella Brooks, Diane Wilson, Bilal Muhammad, Byron Mann, Dalan Mann, Kristin Mann, Veronica Jackson, Josie Bakari, Ronnie Carter, Raegan McCorkle, Roman Mann, del Roddrick Cortez, Ivan Mann, Topaz Lilly, Adam, Deon and Rashad Abdullah, Alex Woods, Kenya Green, Natasha and Jessica Mann, Jaycie Edwards, Tiffany Walker, Paul Johnson, Joseph and Jessie Lawler, Blake Johnson, Christopher Taylor and Lauren Taylor. Mom leaves a host of great and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and special friends.