Louise E. Mann

Published 2:29 pm Tuesday, February 25, 2025

PENDLETON – Rousseau Louise Edwards Mann, age 98, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 24, 2025 at her home in Pendleton. Born the eldest daughter of J.C. Edwards, Sr. and Lollie E. Edwards, Louise was a native of Northampton County and lived her entire life in Pendleton except for a brief period of one year living in Monroe, North Carolina.

Louise attended Severn School, always ready to talk about playing on the high school basketball team against rival Conway High School. She then went on to attend East Carolina University, then known as East Carolina Teachers Training School, where she grew into a passionate Pirate fan, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Physical Education. Often you would hear her comment that no matter where one attended undergraduate school, eventually they would finish their education at East Carolina University, which is where they should have gone in the first place. Many a relative took her to see the changes in the ECU campus on trips to Greenville. This elicited many college memories and stories of college friends.

On October 18, 1947 Louise married Benjamin Irvin Mann of Severn, NC. After living for a year in Monroe, they returned to Pendleton. Louise was the epitome of the “good and faithful woman” highlighted in Proverbs 31:10-31. Hard working, kind, wise and devoted to her husband and family, she truly was a “treasure and pillar of strength within her household.”  Louise cherished her mother, honoring her in the ways she loved others. Known as “Ma,” family meant everything and she was always happiest during family visits and celebrations. A woman of quiet strength, Louise led by example more than words, inspiring her children, grandchildren, and friends. Everyone wanted to be like Ma. A sharp mind, quick wit, and great storyteller will be a lasting part of her legacy. Preparing taxes for family members up until the last year of her life, Louise enjoyed her home office often sitting up until the wee hours of the morning pouring over tax information. It was often joked that her mind was sharper than one or two minds put together. Her knowledge exceeded the rules and regulations of tax law. Her example was the true wisdom her family witnessed. You could always count on a humorous family story, or a comeback statement in conversation usually accompanied with a twinkle in her eye that gave away the quick wit she possessed. Everyone loved to hear those stories, no matter that they had been told many times. Keenly interested in her community, Louise continually asked about others, expressing concern and offering to help whenever she could. Roberts Chapel Baptist Church was the cornerstone of that community throughout her entire life. You often found her there while she was able to attend, either with the children’s Sunday School classes or with the other ladies of the church in the kitchen. She always accepted any church work request and encouraged others to do the same.

Most will remember Louise as the lady that was always outdoors cutting her yard on the hill under the pines in Pendleton usually wearing a safari style pith helmet and later, a large straw hat. Home was her happy place, but the yard was her paradise. Riding her “JD” tractor and her zero turn lawnmower was where she was happiest, cutting until dark most summer nights. Louise cut grass until she was 97. She mowed her pasture land until she was 96, wielding that tractor and bush hog like a true farmer. Louise was particular about exactly how to cut her pasture and her yard. No one could cut quite like Louise, and she never gave up hope that she might get back out there one more time. She kept her grass cutting clothes, hat, and gloves ready, hanging in the garage, as they are today.

Besides her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Benjamin Irvin Mann; her brothers J.C. Edwards, Jr., Robert K. Edwards, William D. Edwards, and Mack S. Edwards; and son-in-law, John Thomas Beasley.

Left to cherish Louise’s memory are her children, Benjamin Larry Mann (Phyllis) of Pendleton, Steven Eugene Mann (Kitty) of Pendleton, Nancy Mann Beasley of Pendleton, and Christopher Irvin Mann (Toni) of Ada, Oklahoma. Grandchildren include L. Brent Mann (Shannon), Douglas Mann (Rebekah), Matthew R. Mann (Crystal), S. Justin Mann (Kristin), Mariah C. McKellar (Joe), Leigh T. Mann, J. Nathan Beasley (Anna), Emily B. Williams (Jason), Chase R. Mann, and Jack G. Mann. Great grandchildren include Tyler Mann, Riley Mann, Ben Mann, Natalie Mann, Olive Mann, Olivia Mann, Owen Mann, Andrew McKellar, Alex McKellar, George Beasley, Catherine Beasley, Nolan Williams, Luke Williams, and Hazel Mann. Dearly loved sisters include Frances Edwards Warren of Winston Salem and Anne Edwards McPhail of Tarboro. There are many nieces and nephews of Louise and Ben, always loved. Louise continually stayed interested in their lives.

The family would like to thank caregivers Joangelia Joyner, Glenace Joyner, and Pat Edwards for their continued support over the past seven months. Also a special thank you to Angela Revelle from Gentiva Hospice for her caring guidance at the end of Ma’s journey. Most of all, the family wants to acknowledge gratitude to Dr. Michael Alston for years of unwavering support and care.

Family will receive friends Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Roberts Chapel Baptist Church at 1 p.m. with a celebration of life service beginning at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow in the Roberts Chapel Baptist Cemetery in Pendleton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Roberts Chapel Baptist Church, PO Box 128, Pendleton, NC 27862 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com, search fund, type Louise Mann.

Online condolences can be made at www.garrettsykesfs.com. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Murfreesboro Chapel.