Kitty Mann

Mrs. Kitty Mann beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend died peacefully in her sleep at her home on Friday, February 14, 2025

Visitation will be Friday, February 21, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, MS. Visitation will take place again on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 12:00 P.M. until 1:00 P.M. in West Hall with a funeral service to follow beginning at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home.

Kitty Mann was born on June 12, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina of Dutch parents. She graduated from the American Community School in Buenos Aires. In 1954, she traveled to the U.S. in order to attend college at Young Harris Jr. College in GA. (Two families, Mr. and Mrs. Len Buntz and Rev. Bill and Mrs. Holt were instrumental in making it possible for Kitty to leave Argentina and attend college in the U.S.) She finished her undergraduate education at North Georgia College. Kitty completed her Masters Degree in Elementary Education at Peabody Teachers College at Vanderbilt University. During the summer months, while in college, she worked at the Methodist Assembly grounds in Lake Junaluska in NC (where in 1957, she was crowned queen).

In 1960, she married Dr. James “Jimmy” Mann and that same year became an American citizen. Kitty gave birth to her first child Mary Elizabeth in 1961. In 1964, she and her husband moved to Oxford MS where Jimmy took a position in the School of Education at Ole Miss. Their second child Michael Patrick was born in 1965. Kitty was a loving and supportive mother to them.

Kitty, after raising her children, went back to teaching and taught for many years as a third grade teacher. She enjoyed teaching her students and impacted many of their lives. She loved the fellow faculty and administration she taught with every day. Kitty retired from the Oxford City Schools in 1998. Because of her community engagement, the City of Oxford awarded her the Community Service Award in 1997.

She was an active member of Oxford-University United Methodist Church for many years. There, Kitty taught Sunday School and for a time served as the Spiritual Life Chairman for the United Methodist Women’s groups in the church. In that position, Kitty delivered over 300 cradle crosses to all of the newborns in the congregation.

Throughout her life, Kitty maintained contact with her “Dutch family” especially her mother. On occasion, she would visit the Netherlands to reconnect with her many Dutch relatives. Sometimes, she would travel with her sister Margie Powell of Decatur, GA.

Jimmy and Kitty through the years would befriend international students who were studying at Ole Miss. Some of these “adopted” daughters included: Celeste, Vicky, and Florencia from Argentina, Mira from Romania, and Karem from Chile.

In her later years, Kitty was a dedicated member of Explorer’s Bible Study led by Beth Fitts. After her husband passed away in 2020, she joined and became an active member of Grace Bible Church. She loved her church family and their ministers. Many of her dearest friends at this time of life come from that congregation.

“Ms. Kitty” had many friends throughout the Oxford community. One especially meaningful friend group for her included Jean Blackston, Peggy Schove, and Peggy Threadgill. She seemed naturally to reach out to others and invest herself in their lives. She often encouraged those around her. She also loved her many neighbors on Leighton Road.

Kitty was a wonderful “Nana” to her grandchildren (Elizabeth and David), often writing cards and letters to them and going to their events.

Kitty was predeceased by her husband, James Mann, her parents Juliet and Robert, her sister Yoki, and her half brother Marcus. She is survived by her daughter Mary Austin (Jim) and her son Michael Mann (Krista), her sister, Margie Powell, her half sisters Heidi and Manja, her half brother Jan Williem, sister-in-law Gloria Mann and her precious grandchildren Elizabeth and David Mann. She is also survived by an “adopted son”, Robin Huang from Taiwan, a red-headed stepson, Mike Dupper, a host of nieces, nephews, and close friends who were always near and dear to her heart.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Gentiva Hospice and Dr. Helmhout for the care and compassion they provided to Kitty.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kitty’s memory to French Camp Academy, French Camp, MS or Grace Bible Church, Oxford, MS or a charity of your choosing.