Janis Mann

Janis Virginia Halley Mann, the Matriarch of our family, age 94, died peacefully on Saturday, August 24, 2024, surrounded by her five daughters and granddaughter.

Janis was born in Baskin, Louisiana on October 13, 1929, to John Henry and Alice Virginia DaMour Halley. A graduate of Sulphur High School Class of 1947, she worked as a legal secretary for over 34 years, retiring from U.S. Federal Court in 1999, where she was respected by the legal community.

In 1949, she married Merle Mann and settled in Westlake to raise their six children. Janis was the creator of many generations of life having 6 children,11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church where she was active in all areas of church life. She and Merle were square dancers with the Swinging Rebels which she continued after Merle’s death in 1991. She loved to travel, especially to see her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who lived across the country. She went on many trips with her children canoeing down the Rio Grande River in 1997 and parasailed in Hawaii on her 85th birthday. She loved to cook for her children and grandchildren, especially egg-in-the holes.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merle Russell Mann, Sr., sister, Rosemary Halley Whitmire, and grandson, Bob Sand.

She is survived by her children, Suzan Bennett (Steve), Converse LA, Sally O’Neill (Michael), Napa CA, Alicia Richardson, Lake Charles, Cecilia Kidder (Bryan), Hickory, NC, Merle Russell Mann, Jr. (Mister), Salt Lake City, UT, and Toni Price (LC), Mulvane, KS; her grandchildren, Sam Bennett (April), Shay Carter (Bryan), Duncan O’Neill, Cole Young (Meagan), Dillon Young (Christina), Bryan Kidder, Jr. (Kara), Sydney Garcia (Adam), Aubrey Mann, Cody Mann (Denise), Brandi Sand, and Lancie Clem (Aaron), her great grandchildren, Suzanna Amos (Michael), Halley Finch (Nathan), Andrew Bennett, Lane Bennett, Thatcher Carter, Weller Carter, Evangeline Eva Carter, Elise Carter, Grayson Young, Asher Bolen, Brooklynn Sand, Brayden Sand, Aubrey Clem, Emily Clem, Levi Clem, and Landen Clem; her great great grandchildren William Amos, Emmaline Amos, and Margarite Amos; her brother, Dr. Mesonie (Buck) T. Halley, Sr. (Dorothy) and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home in Moss Bluff on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. There will be no graveside service.