Brother John Lester Shannon Jr. ~ The fourth son of the late Minister John Lester Shannon Sr. and Missionary Willie Jane Young-Shannon was born March 10, 1930 in Olive Branch, Mississippi.  As a young boy growing up in Mississippi, John picked cotton along with his siblings, assisted on his parent's farm and attended DeSoto County schools.  He accepted Christ at an early age when Olive Branch Church of God In Christ was just a clearing in the woods. He left home at the early age of 14 moving to Memphis, Tennessee where he lived with an uncle and older brother while working odd jobs.

On May 7, 1949 John was united in marriage to Eva Blanche Caldwell-Shannon of Stanton, TN.  To that union 5 daughters and 1 son was born.   In 1951 the family relocated to Racine, Wisconsin where John worked at Lakeside Malleable as a core maker and stand grinder.  In 1958 he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Monterey, California.  In 1961 he received an honorable discharge and returned to his family.  He continued working at Lakeside for a total of 20 years while also working security at Walker Manufacturing in the evenings and weekends.  In 1972, just before Lakeside closed their doors, he joined J.I. Case Co. as a setup man and crane driver.

John was a member of Grace Temple Church of God in Christ, where he served on the trustee board.  After becoming a widow in 1979, John met and married Edna E. Rutherford, a fellow church member, on May 24, 1980.  He continued to work for J.I. Case until his retirement in 1992, after which, he worked for the Racine Unified School District as a hall monitor at Wind Point School. In 1998 they relocated to Memphis, TN and became members of St. Luke's Church of God in Christ in Olive Branch, MS where he was member of the male choir.  He worked as a security guard and retired shortly after Edna's passing in 2008.  Due to health reasons, John returned to Racine in 2017 and lived with his daughter Maxine.  He looked forward to his periodic trips to visit family and friends in Memphis.

John was a family man and loved attending church and family functions.  He enjoyed kidding around, laughing and joking.  He was a jack of all trades and master of a few; self-taught mechanic, carpenter and all around handyman. From flooring, drywall, paneling, masonry, and more.   He was well known for his cooking skills including pancakes, tea cakes, pineapple cakes, canning, cornbread dressing, home-made jelly and ice cream. He was also a sharp dresser known for his suspenders, Stacy Adam shoes and Dobbs hats.

He leaves to cherish his memory; son, John L. Shannon III;  daughters, Katherine Shannon, Maxine Shannon, Margaret N. (Jerry) Smith, of Racine, WI and Gracie M. Shannon of Lewis Center, Ohio; stepson, Wayne Rutherford; siblings, Willie Mae Shannon, Thelma L. Martin, Bernice Askew, Claude Shannon, David (Thelma) Shannon, Joseph L. (Sandra) Shannon, sister-in-law, Ida Shannon of Memphis, TN; 21 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and a host of in-laws in both the Caldwell and Rogers family.  John will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

John was preceded in death by his parents; two spouses; sibling, Wilbert Sr., George W., Charlie W., Clyde Ester, Annie Mae, Murry F. and Preston O'Neal Shannon; daughter, Melody L. Shannon; stepdaughters, Louise McKinney and Pat Carr; granddaughter Kaylin Cornett and great-grandson Donte' Shannon.

The Shannon family would like to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thank you for every expression of sympathy.  Your calls, texts, flowers, and other deeds of kindness shown during this time of bereavement are greatly appreciated; especially the doctors, nurses and entire staff at Froedtert hospital for the loving attention shown to both John and the family while he was under their care.

Service Details

Due to the worldwide health pandemic, a private Celebration of John's Life and Homegoing will be held at Greater Grace Temple Church of God In Christ on Monday, April 13, 2020, 11:00am with Pastor Jerry Cornett officiating.  Live-streaming  will begin at 10:45 via the live stream link below. Private burial for the family will follow at Graceland Cemetery.  A memorial repast celebrating John's life will take place at a later date when it is safe for family and friends to gather.

The stream link is https://youtu.be/ewUWNXP2Xbw Click on the link OR copy and paste the entire URL into your internet browser.

Please email all resolutions, letters of condolence and proclamations to Leslie Barry-Scales Funeral Director at leslie@dlfh.net or call 262-321-7516 for any further information.  Cards may be mailed to the family in care of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd., Racine, WI 53405

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