Oliver Davis Mann, Jr. died peacefully on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the age of 88 years old in his home in Davidson, North Carolina under the loving care of his wife, Nancy Miller and his stepdaughter, Joanne Uma Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife of 36 years and a caring blended family, including daughters, Leigh Lindsay Mann, Rachel Eliza Mann, and son, John Davis Mann, as well as his stepdaughters, Joanne Uma Wilkinson and Ellen Marie Wilkinson, stepsons, Mark and David Wilkinson, step-grandchildren Graham and Hugh Wilkinson, Marie and Elias Stassinopoulos, and Charlie and Ella Jo Wilkinson. He helped raise three additional caring step-grandchildren: stepson, Dyami Hunter Wilkinson and stepdaughters, Chekpa and Wohpe Wilkinson.

Oliver was born on January 10, 1928 in Danville, Illinois to his parents, Oliver Davis Mann, Sr. and Jean McDonald Mann. He graduated from Danville High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948 first on the USS Nahant and then on the USS Jackson, followed by a tour in Puerto Rico. He was honorably discharged and awarded the WW II Victory Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal.

Oliver graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne campus with a BS in 1951 and then earned his JD from there in 1953. He first practiced in the Danville office in which his father, grandfather and great grandfather practiced law while they held judgeships in Illinois. Family lore tells that Abraham Lincoln, as young lawyer traveling the circuit, practiced in the Mann family office.

Oliver eventually left the family law practice to have a long corporate career in human resources. During that time, he was an advocate for women, minorities and workers long before it became “politically correct” to do so. His last position in the corporate arena was as the Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Officer of Campbell Soup Company in the mid-90s. In his retired years, he worked as a part-time administrator in his wife’s clinical psychology practice while helping raise his step-grandchildren.

Oliver will be remembered by all his many friends and family as a gentle, kind and caring man. He was a good listener, humble and always willing to give a helping hand to one and all, including strangers. He had many friends over his long years of life. He always loved telling good jokes and could spin a long yarn about the past. He loved his wife, children, stepchildren, and stepgrandchildren. He will be deeply missed by one and all.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 18, at 1 pm at Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church, 9704 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28262. Flowers may be sent there. Questions about the service can be directed to Rachel Mann at 434-227-0538 or rachel@mettaknowledge.com.