Irene Mann

Irene N. Mann, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 26, at the age of 100 years, 5 months and 12 days, in Granbury, Texas at the Trinity Mission Health and Rehab Center  of Granbury.   As she was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, she was  surrounded by her loving family.  Prior to her two months at the nursing home, she was a resident of Charterhouse at Lake Pointe  in Granbury for the previous eight years of her beautiful life after moving to Texas to be closer to her daughters and sons-in law, Marilyn and Bob Satterwhite of Granbury and Marlene and David Dibrell of Dallas.  Irene was born in Barton County on December 14, 1911, to Hugh Raymond Potter and Blanche Webb Potter who preceded her in death, as did her sisters Irma Potter Schmitz, Mary Katherine Potter Washburn and brother Robert Lynn Potter.  She was a graduate of Lamar High School where she met and married the love of her life, Elbert Jesse Mann, on April 16, 1932, and they celebrated 55 years of happy marriage prior to his death in 1987.    Elbert and Irene lived in Clovis, New Mexico, and in Big Spring, Texas until they returned home to Lamar in 1966.  In addition to her many civic activities she was a sales associate for  J. C. Penney in Clovis and in Big Spring, and upon  her return to Lamar, worked for Robert’s Department Store until her retirement. A devoted and cherished mother, she is survived by daughters Marlene and son-in-law David Dibrell, Marilyn and son-in-law Bob Satterwhite.  She adored  her four grandchildren: Jo D. Dibrell, Dr Jill Nennmann and husband Brian, Susan Sledge and husband Mark; and Cliff Satterwhite and wife Sue; her great-grandchildren Steven and Benton Seybold, Evan and Sarah Sledge and numerous nieces and nephews of  Potter, Washburn and Webb families who loving referred to “Aunt Irene” as their mother/grandmother/mentor. She shared her love freely and with a generous spirit Irene was always active in church and community activities, being an 80 year member of First Baptist Church in Lamar where she was a member of the Arts and Crafts group and YAH Senior Group and a faithful member of her T.E. L. Sunday School Class all those years.  She was a member of the Barton County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.  She was a 76 year member of Mt. Hope Chapter #74, Order of the Eastern Star where she was a Past Matron and also a member of the Past Matron and Patron Quilting Club.  She delivered Meals on Wheels with her good friend Helen Carr for 14 years.  A talented seamstress and tailor, she was a member of the Fiber Arts Club and a charter member of the Sew and So Club.  She was a member of the Camera Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Auxiliaries and Surviving Spouses.  She was on the Advisory Board of Rainbow Assembly # 104 and was known for her support of their projects, especially involving dinners and bake sales!  An extraordinary cook, her culinary skills were recognized by the Lamar Democrat when she named a Cook of the Month in October 1990.  Her involvement in her many activities were both in leadership and supportive roles, always being faithful to the task.  She knitted, she crocheted, she made beautiful quilts, all hand pieced and quilted, always attentive to every small detail.  As her brother Bob described her in the Potter-Webb history, “there are probably other activities that she is involved with, because you  have to make an appointment to find her at home!” After moving to Granbury in 2003 to be near daughters Marlene and Marilyn, Irene was the unofficial-official “hostess” at Charterhouse at Lake Pointe where she lived in independent living until after her 100th birthday.  She was the organizer of the Tuesday morning sewing group, the Thursday SkipBo group, the monthly pot luck dinners.  She never missed coffee and breakfast each morning at the club house, and was always present early when donuts were to be served! December 12, 2011, was quite a 100th Birthday Celebration for Irene when over 100 family and friends joined her on this Centennial Celebration.   Proclamations and Certificates, awards and honors were presented to her to honor her on this occasion.  A true lady, her speech to those friends and family who attended, was awesome and inspiring, just as her life was awesome and inspiring, a life made beautiful by her loving example of Christian living.   Irene had a remarkable way of making friends wherever she was and had a way of bringing joy and a smile to all she met. Funeral Service will be 10:00 am Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at Lamar First Baptist Church. Visitation with the family will be on Monday, June 4th, 6-8 p.m. at Daniel Funeral Home, 1201 Broadway St., Lamar, Missouri  64759.  The  Order of the Eastern Star will be presented by members of Mt. Hope Chapter #74, during the visitation at 7 p.m.