Sue Ella Manning

Sue Ella Manning, 97, of Coshocton, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday April 28, 2018, with her family at her side.

Sue was born in Stanford, Kentucky on May 22, 1920, to the late Anna and John Tandy Reynolds.  She graduated from Lancaster High School in Kentucky as valedictorian.  After high school she worked for the Southern Bell Telephone Company as an operator while attending Spencerion Business College.

Sue married Owen D. Manning on September 2, 1942.  Her cherished husband preceded her in death on March 21, 1982.  Sue recounted the happiest days of her life were when her husband, Owen, returned from WWII after being a prisoner of war for 10 months.  She received sympathy cards because the Army did not immediately know he was a prisoner of war.  Their young married life really began after his miraculous return.

An Elder Emeritus at Central Christian Church, she also served devotedly as a Sunday School teacher for 21 years.  She served faithfully the Women’s CWF and was a loyal member of many Bible studies.  Sue read the Bible from beginning to end 47 times in her almost 98 years.  She attended church services as long as her body allowed. She gave her family countless character gifts through her example, all threaded with Christian values.  Her many Bibles are marked with the names of family and friends that were lifted in constant prayer.  Sue lived a full and extraordinary life of discipleship.  She was precious.

Sue was also an active member of the Walhonding Valley Garden Club, Pink Ladies, and served as Board Secretary of the Coshocton County Memorial Hospital.

Renowned for her gorgeous flowers and healthy garden, Sue’s blooms included plants from around the country that she collected during her many travels.

Having witnessed many epic events in her long life, Sue had many memories such as the Great Depression and its effects on her family, remembering a meal that consisted of a jar of beets and water, and the moon-landing, which occurred on two of her children’s shared birthday, July 20th.

Sue is survived by three of her four children, Winona Jean Tyson, Michael D. Manning and wife Karen, and Deborah A. Brown.  Her eldest daughter, Bonnie Owenette Cotrell, preceded her in death on March 19, 2008.  Her grandchildren are Marlena Sue (Tony) Stechschulte, Marshal (Allison) Pitchford, Matthew Pitchford (deceased), Dru (Dee) Tyson, Tara (Chris) Haynes, Joshua (Monica) Manning, Jason (Andrea) Manning, and Derek (Julie) Brown.  Also surviving are 15 great-grandchildren, Jonathan Stechschulte, Christianne (Tim) Stechschulte Parrott, Anna Grace Stechschulte, Dylan and Dean Manning, Bradon and Lauren Manning, Preston, Pryce, Piper, and Porter Pitchford, Darling Tyson, and Andrew, Sara, and Allie Brown.  Sue’s family awaits the birth of a great great-grandson to Christianne and Tim Parrott.  She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Polly Manning, a son-in-law, Ernie Cotrell, and five nephews, George and Ron Manning, and Bobby, Bruce, and Paul Reynolds.

Also preceding her in death were an infant sister, Theodora Reynolds, and sons-in-law, Gary L. Tyson and Philip K. Brown, and beloved brother-in-law, Charles Manning.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Central Christian Church, 731 Main Street, Coshocton, Ohio, on Wednesday May 2, 2018 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Philip Hunt officiating.  Friends may call at the church from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.  There will be a private family gathering at Miller Funeral Home, 639 Main St., Coshocton, Ohio prior to the services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Central Christian Church Foundation, 731 Main Street, Coshocton, Ohio 43812.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

The family wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to the administration and staff at Windsorwood Place for the exceptional care given to Sue.