David Lee Mann of Rockford, Alabama, age 87, passed away at home on Sunday, October 13, 2024.
David is survived by his wife, Shelby Mann; children, Ginger Matheson (Chad), Tracy Lee Mann (Jeff), David Lee Mann II (Michelle); step-children, Charles "Chuck" Jackson (Samantha), Bob Jackson (Julie); grandchildren, Kyle Mann (Blair), Michael Watson (Morgan), Ashton Harris (Jacob), Dustin Mann (Kaylee), Jacob Mann (Addie), Jasmyn Mann, Riley Mann; step-grandchildren, Mark Jackson, Jimmy Jackson (Carolyn), Brian Jackson, Tabitha Lethcher (Josh), Chris Jackson (Brooke), Lyndsey Jackson (Brannon), Shaddix Jackson, Dakota Jackson, Aaron Jackson, Paige Hughs; 14 great grandchildren; and siblings, Barbara Crowe, Gay Ricks (Gary), Linda Santos (Willie) and Robert Mann (Carrie).
David was preceded in death by his first wife of 40 years, Janice Maness Mann; parents, David Earl Mann, Lois Odella Mann and Bessie Dimple Shaw; and siblings, Patsy Vick, Shirley Riley, Jimmy Mann, and Donnie Rockwell.
A visitation for David will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Funeral Home, 320 North Elm Avenue, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150. A funeral service will occur Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Stan Adams and Rev. Jimmy Brown officiating.
David will be laid to rest in Fayetteville Methodist Church, 5441 Old Fayetteville Rd., Sylacauga, Alabama 35151.
Serving as pallbearers are Kyle Mann, Michael Watson, Dustin Mann, Jacob Mann, Riley Mann and Jacob Harris.
David was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, and faithful servant of the Lord. He was a current member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church where he continued to work in the service of the Lord. He served his Lord and his country with great passion, faithful dedication, love for God and country, and patriotism. He did so “to the best of his ability.”
David had an expansive career. He served in the U.S. Navy August 24, 1954 – August 1977. He became a Boiler Tender and retired at the rank of E-9 BTCM (Master Chief). He served in many conflicts aboard a variety of vessels. He was also in the Admiral’s Fleet Command COM-Crew DES-Group II, SGPI Steam Generating Plant Inspector, and as a Charleston N.S. Ship Support Assistant. He retired while stationed in Charleston, SC after 24 years of service.
After his service in the U.S. Navy, David retired from Southern Company Services after 29 years of employment. There he worked as a Millwright and a Procurement Manager.
While still in the U.S. Navy, David became active in the jail and prison ministries in Charleston, SC. It was during this time that David surrendered his life to preach the gospel.
During his ministry he served as an ordained minister, deacon, soloist, and teacher. He pastored four separate churches over a span of 46 years. His passion in ministerial service was to always serve, love, and honor the Lord, praise him in song, pray over all things, and minister to others who did not know Jesus.
David loved spending time with his family. He loved to farm and work with his tractor and back-hoe. He loved to tinker in his shop on a rainy day. He loved reading and studying the Word of God. And he loved homemade vanilla ice cream and his life. He was very thankful for all of the blessings he received from the Lord.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/sylacauga-al/radney-smith-funeral-home/8516.
Radney-Smith Funeral Home will direct the service.
