August 22, 1924 – June 28, 2015
John Davis Mann, Sr., 90, a lifetime resident of New Hope, Alabama, passed away early Sunday morning, June 28th.
“Dave,” as he was most often called, was preceded in death by his parents, Fannie Helen Wilson Mann and Clifton Odell Mann, Sr., his wife of 64 years, Laura Jane Butler Mann, four brothers, Wilson Mann, Clifton Odell Mann, Jr., James Allison Mann, and Dewey Thomas Mann; four sisters, Mattie Roberts, Frances Roberson, Imogene Butler, and Lela Belle McCrory. Survivors include two sisters, Bertie Carpenter and Lyla McMullen and six children: two sons, John Davis Mann, Jr. (Dianne) and Donald Edward Mann (Gaylynn); four daughters, Ruby Whatley (Bill), Jane Tanner (Buddy McDaniel), Barbara Weyant (Greg), and Dorothy Procopio ( Bruno). Grandchildren include Trey Mann (Collyn), Todd Mann (Amy), and Clay Mann; Ashley Aston (Mike),Lindsey Stubblefield (Adam), Marlee Mann, Ashley Cody(Jonathan), Cliff Dyer, Anna Laura Dyer, and Abby Weyant. Big Granddaddy also had six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A World War II Veteran, Mr. Mann served in the United States Marine Corps. Before he even graduated from high school, he was drafted and served as a corporal aircraft mechanic in the Philippines and later in northern China. When the war was over, he returned to New Hope where he married Laura Jane Butler. He was a lifetime farmer and businessman in Madison County. He served as a councilman and mayor of New Hope. He was also a member of New Hope Methodist Church.
The Mann family is especially grateful to his daytime caregiver, Heather Mefford, to Dr. Purvi Shah and the staff at Clearview Cancer Institute, and to Hospice of North Alabama for their compassion and excellent care..
Mr. Mann will always be remembered for his love of family and friends, his deep generosity to those who needed his help, and his love of his community, country, and church. He brought joy to those around him with his jovial personality, and his natural storytelling skills. He is gone, but never forgotten.
Visitation will be Monday, June 29th, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at New Hope Funeral Home. Services will be held at New Hope Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, June 30th, at 11:00 AM with Reverend Michael Carpenter and Clifton Mann officiating. Interment will be at Bethel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Hope Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 420, New Hope, AL, 35760 or to Hospice of North Alabama, 3311 Bob Wallace Avenue, Suite 101, Huntsville, AL, 35805.
New Hope Funeral Home 
dave jr. I am really sorry for the loss of your dad. I know my daddy really liked mr mann. larry jones
Dear Mann family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in the loss of Mr Mann.
He was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. Daddy and Mama thought the world of him.
Rest in Peace , and God bless
Ray and Pam Morring and family
So sorry for your loss. Your family is our families thoughts and prayers.
May all the wonderful memories of your Dad flood your soul. He was a wonderful man and no matter how many kids were at his house he always had room for one more. New Hope has lost an Icon. Many prayers for the Great Comforter to wrap his arms around you at this difficult tjme.
Prayers are with the members of Mr. Daves’ family….
Jane…so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Family……My deepest condolences to all of you for the great loss you are now experiencing. Dave, along with the entire Mann families, has always been such a lifetime special friend of my George as well as mine after I came to New Hope. You have truly lost a matriarch of this town as well as your family. He will always be remembered by all of us who knew him and were privileged enough to hear some, but definitely not ALL, of his many interesting stories. Know that you all are and will be in my thoughts and prayers as you deal with this deep loss to your family as well as all the rest of us who knew and loved Dave. Much love to you all, Barbara
The family of Talmadge and Betty Clayton extends our deepest sympathy to your entire family. We have fond memories of all the Mann family during our years in New Hope and continue to treasure that friendship. Daddy always had a big grin on his face every Sunday when your family came filing into church to fill your pew. What a treasure your dad was to his dear family, his friends, his church, and his community. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this most trying time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Dave was a good friend, always had a smile and a handshake.
The Montero’s