Mother Mattie Mae Harps Shannon 96, departed this life on Saturday August 12, 2017 in Florence County. She was the mother of Vernelle Moore, Cassandra Staggers, Lura Thomas, Sara Ellis and Joyce Boyd. You may visit the family at 710 Middle St. Marion.

Service arrangements are scheduled for 3:00pm Sunday August 20, 2017 at the Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Marion. She will be laid to rest in the Devotion Gardens Cemetery, Mullins. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church (Floral) Flower Club or the Education Committee.

~ Mother Mattie’s Life Reflections ~

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”                                                                                                                 II Timothy 4:7-8 KJV

Mother Mattie Mae Harps Shannon was born in Marion County, South Carolina on November 28, 1920 to the late Christiana Harps and Jerry Harps.  She departed this earthly life on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina.

Mother Shannon was educated in the public schools of Marion County, South Carolina, but had to leave at an early age.  With strong determination, Mother Shannon returned to school and received her high school diploma from Marion’s first adult education class when she graduated in 1969 along with her two youngest children: Joyce and Clyde.

However, that was not enough for this determined lady and she continued her education at the Marion Technical School.  Upon completion, she became a licensed practical nurse (LPN). You can’t believe the excitement when she was notified that she had passed the state board exam.

Still, even that wasn’t enough for this ambitious lady.  She began taking driving lessons.  Although being in her 50s, she took on the challenge of learning to drive.  What a great accomplishment when she received that driver’s license. She loved driving almost as much as being a nurse and was a “little speed demon”.

Mother Shannon worked at Finger Clinic for many years and when it closed, she worked and retired from English Park Hospital, Marion, South Carolina.  Her favorite part of nursing was being in the delivery room welcoming new babies.  She often spoke of the ones named after her.

Not being one to sit at home, after retirement she worked at Jenkins Nursing Home and also did private duty nursing for a few years.

Mother Shannon joined the Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and at the time of her demise was the oldest member of the church.  Because of her love for flowers, she helped organized a Flower Club at the church.  She was a member of the education and kitchen committees and served on the missionary society.

Mattie Mae Harps was married to Marion Shannon and to this union seven children were born. 

Preceding Mother Shannon in death: her husband: Marion Shannon; two sons: Marion Shannon Jr. and Clyde (Bopeep) Shannon; five brothers: Howard, Kenneth, James, Ishmael and Jerry Jr.

Mother Shannon leaves to carry her fruitful legacy ~ five daughters and daughters-n-law: Vernell Moore of Columbia, SC, Cassandra Staggers of Marion, SC, Lara D. (Samuel) Thomas of Las Vegas, Nevada, Sara (Theodore) Ellis of Florence, SC, Joyce Ann (Rev. Jackie) Boyd of Sumter, SC and Elma Shannon of Columbia, SC; her siblings: Benson (Margaret) Harps of Baltimore, MD, Aretha Kenny of Columbia, SC, Ann (Charles) Bobo Harps of Spartanburg, SC, Cynthia J. (Thomas) Cordle of Columbia, SC and Cynthia D. (Taft) Guiles of Marion, SC; thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, six great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.