Anna (Ann) Ruth Goad Manning, 88, of Gloucester, Virginia, departed for her eternal home, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at Methodist Hospital, Germantown, Tennessee, following a brief illness.
She was born September 18, 1927 to Earl P. and Alice A. Goad in Durant, Oklahoma, both preceding her in death. Ann was also preceded in death by her devoted husband of almost 60 years, Thomas A. Manning Jr. (Oct. 2014); her oldest son, Thomas (Art) Manning III (Oct. 2015), and her seven brothers and sisters.
Little in life gave Ann more ultimate joy than making memories with her two sons; eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren could do. Survivors include Art’s children, Kristy M. Adams (Jade) of Davisburg, Michigan; Diane M. Semmes of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Michael Manning of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mary Allison Manning of Lafayette, Louisiana, and their mother, Barbara Lynch of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Additionally, Ann is survived by her younger son, D. Mark Manning, his wife Terri U. Manning, and their four children, Dennis and Patrick, both of Collierville, Tennessee, Carolyn M. Bratcher (Josh) of El Dorado, Arizona, and Martha of Collierville, Tennessee. Ann’s ultimate blessings arrived when God blessed her with six great-grandchildren, Abigail Manning, Ethan, Evan and Ella Adams, all of Davisburg, Michigan, and Nate and Nova Semmes of Baton Rouge. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Art’s wife, Lynn B. Manning of Gloucester.
Ann, the youngest of eight children, was raised by sedulous parents on a small Oklahoma farm during the Great Depression. Her accomplishments leave testament for others, most especially her grands and greats. She met her goals because she had a strong Christian faith, a commitment to family, and a desire to learn and obtain a higher education. After meeting a handsome young sailor (Tom) on a blind date, they only dated briefly before he swept Ann off her feet, and soon after they were married. Together they raised a family in Baton Rouge, while Tom was a professor at LSU. Ann stayed busy supporting and volunteering with several organizations, some of which included: Council on the Aging, where she served as the Director of Health Screening for East Baton Rouge Parish; the American Red Cross, during which she served as Director of Disaster Aid; the American Heart Association, serving as a medical volunteer; Boy Scouts of America, serving as a Den Mother; Altrusa International, a non-profit dedicated to making local communities better through leadership, partnership, and service, and Meals on Wheels.
Upon retirement, Ann and Tom moved to their beloved Texas Hill Country, where both became active volunteers in their new home community, Kerrville, Texas. Ann and Tom were dedicated members of First Presbyterian Church, and active volunteers who enjoyed supporting the Hill Country Youth Ranch, an organization dedicated to helping abandoned and abused children. In 2009, Ann and Tom moved to Garner, North Carolina, before moving to Gloucester in 2013. Following the loss of her husband and oldest son, Ann moved to Collierville, Tennessee in January 2016 to be closer to her youngest son and his family.
Her family thanks the staff, nurses, and doctors of Sanders Assisted Living Facility and Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, in addition to Dr. Rahal, Dr. Villanueva, her specialty doctors, her wonderfully caring sitter Regina who provided companionship and needed assistance, Amedisys Home Health Services, the CCU and hospice staff at Germantown Methodist Hospital, and her favorite staff members at Heritage at Irene Woods.
Her ashes have been interred in the column burial wall at First Presbyterian Church, Gloucester Court House.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Hill Country Youth Ranch.