Obituary of Henrietta Ruth Manning

Henrietta Ruth Gary Manning, 91, of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on June 28, 2016 reuniting with her loved ones that were waiting for her in the kingdom of Heaven. Henrietta, known to her family and friends as “Het,” was born on February 19, 1925 in Wichita, Kansas to the late Reverend Dr. Paul E. Gary and Marietta C. Gary. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother the Reverend Richard E. Gary and his wife Dorothy, daughter Jane M. Hogge, and son in law Herbert S. Hogge. She was a graduate of Sand Springs High School in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, class of 1942, and Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, class of 1946. She was a member of Hilton Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church in Newport News, Virginia for 38 years. While there, she was a member of the choir, a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, and the first woman Elder in the church. She led groups of the youth from Hilton Christian to camp at Craig Springs where she participated as a counselor and camp director for many years. She was currently a member of Westhampton Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church in Roanoke. Her early years were spent growing up in rural areas of western Kansas during the Great Depression. She lived through the “Dust Bowl.” As a child her mother asked her what she wanted for her seventh birthday. Of all the things she could have asked for, typical of her character, she asked to take her friend from school to the movies, because her friend was from a poor family and had never seen one before. Her mother granted her wish and off to the movies they went. As a teenager, she spent her high school and college years in Oklahoma much of it during World War II. She was a charter member of the nations “Greatest Generation.” She always placed others before herself. Henrietta met her husband to be when he was stationed in Enid, Oklahoma, while serving in the United States Air Force. They wed on August 3, 1952, and she returned with him to Virginia. While in Virginia, she taught school in Montgomery County, Roanoke, and Newport News. As a teacher she had a talent for taking the most challenging children and preparing them for the next level and beyond. During this period of her live, she took time off to raise her three children and returned to teaching once they were in school. The year prior to her return to teaching, she volunteered in a fourth grade classroom where she took three children that could not read, taught them, and raised them up to a fifth grade level. She was a first class teacher, mother, and devoted wife. She was one of a kind and will most certainly be missed by all of those that knew her. Henrietta is survived by her husband of 63 years James Carroll Manning; her son and daughter in law Gary and Maria Manning of Virginia Beach; her daughter and son-in-law Ruth Ann and Therrell Hannah of Roanoke; her sister Pauline Saunders of Miami, Oklahoma; and sister Marietta Drummond of Austin, Texas. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren James Hannah and wife Janlyn, Raymond Bracken, Katie Hannah, Huston Manning, Emily Hannah, Sara Manning, and one great-grandchild Jay Hannah. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews that she was always very fond of and in many ways thought of as her own children. The family would like to offer their heart felt gratitude to the loving care that was extended by her caregivers. The family would especially like to thank caregivers Robin Hale and Mary Woolwine, for the extra love and attention that they gave to our beloved Het in her final days. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. (540)366-0707.