Viola Mann

Viola Goforth Mann NEWTON Viola Goforth Mann, 92, of Newton, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, at her residence. Born May 15, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Robert Ray Goforth and Cordie Bell Sigmon Goforth. She was a life-long member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Newton. Her years of church service included assisting with the church pre-school, helping with Vacation Bible School, serving on planning committees, education boards, and Ladies Aid Society. Viola enjoyed gardening, working in her flowers, canning, and attending Senior's Dinners. During her career she worked in textiles and daycare. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ford Marshall Mann; daughter, Janice Wilkinson Braswell; five brothers; and two sisters. Survivors include her daughters, Becky Bowman and husband, Ray Franklin Bowman, of Newton and Jean Piotrowski, of Baltimore, Md.; grandchildren, Renee Long, Susie Canrobert, Eddie Bowman, Rebecca Sajjad, and Amy Zesiger; step-grandchildren, Dale Wilkinson and Cora LeFevers; 10 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; six great-great-grand-children; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family would like to express a "special thanks" to hospice nurses Lynn Whitener, Dana Walker, and Kathy Suddreth for their tender care of Viola and to pastor, Ralph A. Abernethy. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Ralph A. Abernethy officiating. The body will lie in state from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Her family will receive friends Friday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Drum Funeral Home in Conover. Memorials may be made to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658 or Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 2103 Mt. Olive Church Rd., Newton, NC 28658. Condolences may be sent to the Mann family at drumfuneralhome. com. The Mann family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremations in Conover.