Shirley Ann Mann

Shirley was born in Lubbock, Texas September 17, 1945 to John Melvin “Mutt” Moore and Julia Esteline “Polly” Jeffcoat Moore Jenkins. At the ripe “old age” of 15 (and 3 months) she married John Darrel Mann.  Shirley and “Darrel” had five children together, Ricky Don, Rhonda Kay, Darla Jean, Robert Alan & John Leander “Lee”. Sadly, Lee died from SIDS at 5 ½ weeks old.  Shirley returned to school to get her high school diploma at the age of 27. At the age of 28 Shirley and her mother were driving down a Los Angeles Freeway where they both heard God talking to them.  “You can live like you’re living and die, or you can accept Jesus.” She and her mother were both saved that day.

From the moment she was saved, Shirley began ministry. She began ministry to children through the Mission Friends program at First Baptist Church, Petersburg, Texas, as well as in her in-home daycare.  In 1988, God brought Shirley to the DFW area. She accepted a position with the Baptist General Convention of Texas as their Switchboard Operator, and later worked in the accounting department. While serving with the BGCT, she participated in many ministries such as Experiencing God Weekends, and teaching Women’s Sunday School. She attended Dallas Baptist University and received her Chaplaincy Certificate. She began her ministry to women in prison at that time. Shirley was trained in Rapha and Overcomers Leadership, two 12-step programs and led many groups in prison and in various churches.

Shirley left the BGCT and served as House Manager for the PACT (Parents And Children Together) House in Fort Worth. There she ministered to families of prisoners from all over the world. God took her from the PACT House to the Blessed Hope House in Seagoville. She ministered to women coming off drugs and alcohol and off the streets and out of jail. She served there for 9 years. After a short sabbatical, she served as House Director (Mom) with Restored Hope Ministries working with ladies coming out of sex trafficking and prostitution.

Throughout her many years in ministry, she also worked with:

* the SKIP Program (Support for Kids with Incarcerated Parents)

*Christian Women’s Job Corp

*Place of Refuge Ministry

*Robinwood Baptist Church

*countless women, one-on-one Bible Study mentoring/discipleship

*taught several Experiencing God Studies in churches across the country

In 2004, while serving at the Blessed Hope House, Shirley was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. God took her through cancer treatments. She declared that if the cancer ever came back, she would NOT repeat the chemo/radiation regimen.  In 2013, the cancer did return, and with a vengeance. She was diagnosed with Stage IV metastasized breast cancer and basically was told to “go home and die”.  Did she?  She did NOT! God continued to use Shirley in ministry to women for the next nine years! When she asked God to let her “go Home”, He said, “Not yet.” She accepted God’s answer and continued to serve until God finally said, “Come Home.” She received her answer on January 5, 2022 at 8:58 P.M.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents “Mutt” Moore and “Polly” Jenkins, her infant son John Leander Mann, her daughter Darla Jean Mann Dickens and her granddaughter Adrianna May Cole. She is survived by a brother Aubrey Lynn Moore, her children Ricky (Julie) Mann, Rhonda (Minor) Cole, and Robert Mann.  Also surviving are her grandchildren Misty Dickens, “Meagan”, Julianne (Jon) Hughes, Tyler (Stephanie) Nichols, Todd Nichols, Shannon (Yuan) Lin, Marc Dickens, Lindsay (Matt) Campione, Katie Mann, Caitie (Cory) Dyer, and Zachary Mann and numerous great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Restored Hope Ministries at www.restoredhopeministries.org

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