Richard J. Mann

Richard J. Mann Richard J. Mann, 87, passed from his earthly garden to God's Great Garden on Oct. 29, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Maurine Webb Mann. He was born July 5, 1923, and lived his life in Washington Co., Va. He was a devoted Christian who spread God's goodness in almost every action and statement. He was a school bus driver for 30 plus years, carpenter, school custodian, cafeteria worker and a devoted farmer. He believed in sharing God's bounty with others. His most recent job was selling scrap metal, flea marketing, socializing, visiting nursing homes, driving his little S-10 with Roscoe "his dog" by his side. He also enjoyed gardening with his special friend Eddie McConnell. Mr. Mann was spreading God's blessing even with his last breath at the hospital. Survivors are the pride and joy of his life "One and Only daughter Sug-Doll" Frances Ann Mann Thacker and gentleman James Ball; two special grandsons, John and wife, Amy Thacker, and Daryll and wife, Sherry Thacker; special great-grandson, Conrad Thacker; and special great-granddaughters, Kayla, McKenzie, Madison, and Morgan Thacker, all of Abingdon, Va.; brother, Gilmer; and two sisters, Eva and Grace; his extended family, Dot Hagy, Albert and Patti Elkins, Eddie and Susie McConnell, Charlotte Jones, Cody Ball and Drew Milhorne; special sister-in-law, Joann Harley and Hassie Webb; special nieces and nephews, Ronnie, Betty, Debbie, Jerry, Pat, Linda, Louise, and Sue. Funeral services will be held at Farris Funeral Service on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at 12 p.m. (noon) with the Rev. William Austin and the Rev. David Critcher officiating the service. Burial will follow at the Forest Hill Memory Gardens in Abingdon, where Eddie McConnell, Wayne Rutherford, Victor Gomez, Clarence Tedder, Jeff Hagy, Eddie Holmes, Cody Ball and Drew Milhorne will serve as pallbearers. Friends and family may call Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Rev. Ronnie Blevins, the Rev. Floyd Nelson, the Rev. David Robins, the Rev. Billy Hawkins, the Rev. Dwayne Dilard, the Rev. Noah Stout, the Rev. Larry Lusk. Mecedonia Church of Christ men, June and David Miller, Thomas Brothers Groc. family. Philip McCall, Mikes Garafe and Diane, West Main Exxon's Timmie, Empire Ford Garage employees, Wideners Market, East Main Street Chevron, Highland Union Bank girls, Dollar General, Food City Pharmacy, Tom Lawson, Ellis Harless family, Kevin Davenport, Johhny Hurley, Henry Price family, Cecil Holmes, Bobby Spriggs, Cam Miller family, Junior and Shirley Roark, Frank and Judy Quesenberry, Bill Blevins, Hank Taylor, Bernard Reynolds family, Richard and Pat Cozellino, Kerry Henley family, C.W. Harris Jr., Mac Lester, Wash. Chapel Methodist Church family, Valley Street Baptist Church, Thelma Davenport, Tommy and Sally Scott, Ann Morrison, Buddy Mann, Pauline Harless, Ben DeBord family, Roy, Roselee, David and wife Grubb, Farm Bureau girls. Jerry and Penny Ball, Terry and Kim Ball Sharon Lusk, Montana Orefield, John and Reva Roberts Mossholder, Tommy Goodman, Joe Blevins, W.J. Cambell, Frank Blair, Jackie Akers, Larry and Glenn Wise, and Coy Cannon. Arrangements for Mr. Mann are under the care of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon.