Mrs Eva Mae Mangum

On December 26, 2020, her lord said unto her, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Thou hast been faithful over a few things, / will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.' (Matthew 25:23 NKJV) Eva Mae (Collier) Mangum was born on February 12, 1946 in Brandon, Mississippi to the late Harvey (Sonboy) Collier and Bertha (Gipson) Collier. Eva Mae accepted Christ at an early age and was a life-long member of Mountain Ridge United Methodist Church in Brandon, Mississippi. Eva Mae served as Choir Director and Director of Youth Ministry for many years. She attended Kone Springs Elementary School. She began school at the age of five and at age ten, she began the 6th grade at McCall Upper Elementary. She graduated from McCall High School in Pelahatchie, Mississippi at the age of 16 7 years old and was accepted into Jackson State University. Eva Mae was apart of the Collier Singers which included her mother and her five sisters. The Collier Singers traveled and performed in their local community and surrounding areas. While singing at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Pearl, MS, Eva met Ben Hughie Mangum. Ben and Eva dated for a while and a love story like no other ensued. Ben and Eva were soon married on May 23, 1964. With love and commitment, they were happy to say they were married for 56 years. They both were always on the same page with decisions which Ben says, "it made life easier." To this union, the couple gave birth to two daughters, Shewona Velette Taylor and Benetra Masha Mangum-Johnson. Eva was proud of both of her children and their life accomplishments. Shewona was their dynamic baby as she was the first baby born in Mississippi on January 1, 1966, and Benetra was known as her miracle baby due to an early birth. Shortly after beginning her family, Eva began working at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a phlebotomist. She was employed with UMMC for 10 years, and then began working in the Pearl School System helping students in reading, writing and math. After 10 years of working with Pearl Schools, Eva went back to school to further her education in beauty culture and soon became a licensed cosmetologist. Eva started her own business in 1980, named Eva's Beauty Shop which later underwent a name change to Eva's Style Shop. She was blessed to have her own business for over 34 years in which she continued to operate until her health began to fail. Ben and Eva also operated a restaurant business known as Ben and Eva's Fish House, which in Kone Hill was known to have some of the best catfish and pantrout. Their restaurant holds many memories not only for immediate family, but for extended family as well, as they hosted many family gatherings in the restaurant. Her husband truly was a testament of their marriage vows by showing his devotion and commitment to her in health and even in her illness. He worked tirelessly to make sure she was forever loved, and never alone. Eva Mae (Collier) Mangum was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Bertha Collier, three brothers, Harvey (H.J.) Collier, Earnest Collier, and Rev. Jerry Collier; two sisters, Harvie Lee Lofton, and Velma Ree Lock; and her grandson, Corben LeFleur Johnson (Twin A). Eva Mae leaves a legacy of faith and devotion to her family and friends. Her survivors include: a loving faithful, and devoted husband, Ben, two daughters, Shewona Velette (Michael) Faylor, and Benetra Masha Mangum Johnson, (Rev. Charlton I) both of Pearl, MS; a special niece, Andrea (Cornelius) Mozee and nephew, Jamaal (Twanda) Longino, six grandchildren, Benevan Jamalys Taylor of College Park, MD, Victoria Arleaetta Taylor of Briana Elise Taylor of Elkton, MD, Creighton Larry Johnson and Charlton LeFleur Johnson Il of Pearl, MS; sisters, Earline (James) Redd, Carrie Jean (Willie James) McCollum, Ruegeaner (James) Longino, brothers, Earsell (Carrie) Collier, Lonnie (Betty) Collier, and Walter (Hazel) Collier as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mrs Eva Mae Mangum

February 12, 1946 - December 26, 2020