Elaine Davis Mann

Joyce “Elaine” Barnette Davis Mann of Eden Terrace, Spartanburg, SC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 14, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was a woman of great faith and courage, and loved first her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her family, friends and her church. Elaine lived life to fullest, enjoying each day the Lord granted her and was grateful for the many, many blessings that were bestowed upon her. She had a compassionate love for people, never meeting a stranger, and cherished her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her vibrant personality, warm smile and giving spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Born January 26, 1937, in Woodruff, SC, she was the daughter of the late John Clifford and Viola Harrelson Barnette also of Woodruff. 

Elaine attended the Woodruff schools, graduating Woodruff High School in May 1955. She was a graduate of Cecil's Business College and later attended Spartanburg Technical College. She was voted most outstanding student in the 7th grade and received the Trudy Reimer Citizenship Award.

Elaine loved her church family. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg and used her gift of a beautiful voice to worship the Lord, singing in the Sanctuary Choir and the Yesterday's Teens Choir. She was a member of the Gowdy, Mann, Ward Sunday School Class and The Young at Heart, worked with the 2nd grade Children's Choir, served on various committees, and participated in many Bible Studies and other activities.

She was employed by the Church for ten years as a secretary to the Reverend Sal Barone, Minister of Pastoral Ministries and Senior Adults. Elaine also served as receptionist and switchboard operator. Prior to working at First Baptist Church, she was employed by Arkwright Mills for 17 years as a receptionist and purchasing agent.

Elaine considered her most important job as being a loyal, loving wife and mother to her two children, Steven and Kristen, and was very involved with their activities in School District Six. She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and was affectionately known by them as "E-Mom." She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for family and friends.

Elaine had a love for gardening, especially roses, and enjoyed growing and caring for them in her beautiful rose garden at her previous residence. She was a member of the Fairforest Garden Club, where she served as a President. 

Elaine was predeceased by her beloved first husband, Charles Alfred Davis of Fairforest, SC, who she met in October of 1958 and married March 6, 1959.

God brought a wonderful man, James “Jim” Neal Mann of Spartanburg, SC, into her life, who she married on April 17, 2010 in the First Baptist Church chapel. 

She is survived by a sister, Cheryl Ann Brock of Woodruff, SC, son Steven Charles Davis (Meg) of Abbeville, SC, daughter Kristen Elaine Davis Welch (Nelson), two grandsons, Charles “Davis" Welch and Charles "Chas" Nelson Welch, a granddaughter, Haley Kristen Welch all of Spartanburg, and a number of nieces and nephews, three step-sons, Jeff Mann (Kathy), Ray Mann (Chris) of Spartanburg, SC and Vince Mann (Janice) of Southern Pines, North Carolina, six step grandchildren, Neil Mann, Victoria Cato, Alastair, Elon and Grayson Mann and Blake Mann of Spartanburg, S.C., and three step great-children Henry, Michael and Grace Cato of Spartanburg, SC.

She was pre-deceased by a brother, Kenneth Hugh Barnette of Woodruff, SC.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, 250 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. A celebration of her life will follow at 1:30 pm in the sanctuary with the Rev. Dr. Donald J. Wilton, the Rev. Brian Redding and the Rev. Sal Barone officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg. 

Pallbearers will be Steven Davis, Nelson Welch, Davis Welch, Chas Welch, Greg Brock, David Brock, Greg Miller and Lorantz Bogan. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Mann, Ray Mann, Vince Mann and Howard Miller. Honorary escorts will be members of the Gowdy, Mann, Ward Sunday School Class and the Fairforest Garden Club. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Bridge Ministry or Music Ministry, 250 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306, Family Hospice 1312 Augusta Street, Greenville, SC 29605 or the Eden Terrace Employee Fund, 2780 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

The J.F. Floyd Mortuary will be in charge. The family will be at the home of Nelson and Kristen Davis Welch.