Martha Franklin Mann

Born January 1917 in Thomaston, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. Otis Franklin and died October 6, 2017 in Atlanta surrounded by her family. Martha grew up in the Great Depression without her father who passed away during her youth from sleeping sickness. Her mother and her beloved sister, Dorothy, raised her during the Great Depression. Times were hard and to keep the family home from foreclosure her mother sold eggs and produce. While Dorothy took over their father’s mail route at the age of 13 delivering the mail. Both Martha’s mother and, particularly, Dorothy, made many sacrifices for her including sending her to college for which she was eternally grateful. Martha graduated at the age of 19 from the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, GA. She later earned a graduate degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. In 1936, Martha began her teaching career in South Georgia where she met her husband, J. C. Mann, a World War II U. S. Navy veteran. They were married on March 26, 1946 and remained together until her husband’s death on August 25, 1975. In 1956, Martha and family moved to Atlanta, GA where she taught Home Economics and Science at Sylvan Hills High School until her retirement in 1978. Martha was a positive influence to her students taking the time to personally visit each of her students’ homes to meet the parents. A lifelong Roosevelt Democrat, Martha believed in helping the disadvantaged and she continued to help others after her retirement by tutoring disadvantaged youths through her churches, Mary Brannan Methodist Church and Roswell United Methodist Church. One of the last of the Greatest Generation, Martha never complained and had a positive attitude no matter the circumstances. She was a source of strength to her family and many friends. Her favorite Bible verses were Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens…” and Galatians 6:7 “…you reap whatever you sow.” which she lived and passed on to others. Martha truly loved her family and is loved by them. She is now in Heaven with her beloved sister and husband and she leaves a lasting legacy of love and devotion to all of us. Martha is predeceased by her husband, mother, beloved sister, nieces: Permelia Daniel and Cindy Daniel. She is survived by her children Patricia Ezell (Jessie), Franklin Mann (Susan), grandchildren Jason Hood (Tracy), Caroline Mann and Isabel Mann. By her great granddaughters: Lily and Maddie Hood, nephews: Harrison Daniel, Ray Mann, Billy Mann, Bobby Mann, John Allen Mann, and Marion Mann and by her nieces: Elizabeth Mann, Linda Gray (Charles); great nephew Jeff Daniel (Valerie); great niece Becca Long (Nelson) and great, great nephews: Max Daniel, Parker Daniel and Harrison Long. A memorial service will be held at H. M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel 4550 Peachtree Road, NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319 on Saturday, October 14th at 2 PM. A reception will be held afterwards. In lieu of flowers, Martha has asked that contributions be made to Roswell United Methodist Church, Roswell, GA. Martha’s family gives a special thanks to Belmont Village – Buckhead and their staff for their loving care of our mother, particularly Shayna, and to Susan Mann and Jessie Ezell for their love and devotion to our mother.