Sarah Matthews Manning

Sarah Navada Matthews Manning was born to A. Nick and Gertrude Coleman Mathews on February 26, 1936 in Bascom (Jackson County), Florida. She is survived by three children, Matthew Jonathan Manning of Columbus, Georgia, Phillip Mark Manning (Whitney) of Big Canoe, Georgia, and Mary Ellen Manning of Montgomery, Alabama; four grandchildren, Whitney Hammock (Brandon) of Columbus, Georgia, Meredith Jensen (Jared) of Patterson, New York, Madelyn Arihara (Kota) of Cusco, Peru and Connor Manning of Big Canoe, Georgia; two great-grandchildren, Skye and Carter Hammock of Columbus, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, as well as a large spiritual family of brothers and sisters. Sarah, a longtime resident of Montgomery, Alabama passed away peacefully at home on September 12, 2020 after an extended illness and was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 63 years, Albert Wilson Manning; five brothers, Sidney, Clyde, A.A. (Buddy Boy), Robert & Coleman and three sisters, Deora, Myrtle & Katherine (Coonie).

Sarah studied the Bible in earnest and willingly dedicated herself to Jehovah God, symbolizing her dedication by water baptism on May 18, 1951. While attending Massey Draughn Business College in Montgomery, Sarah met, fell in love with her dear Albert and married him on April 10, 1955. Together they initially attended the Montgomery South Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She had deep respect for her husband (Ephesians 5:33) as he fulfilled his spiritual duties within the Congregation while maintaining her own spirituality, jointly raising their children in the Truth and working full time. After moving across town, the family began attending the Montgomery North Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses where Sarah remained an active publisher of Bible Truth until her death.

After working with Philco, Montgomery Fair (Gayfers, now Dillards), Massey Draughn Business College and the Alabama State Senate, Sarah retired from the State after 20 years of service as the personal secretary for several senators. She particularly loved gardening. The flowers in the beds of her yard and on the patios surely reflected how she envisioned the Paradise conditions soon to be restored here on the Earth. Her loyalty and hard work ethic were observed and commented on by all, and her children strive to imitate these same qualities.

Sarah was not all work and no play. She loved to cook, play games, go on vacation, laze about in the pool and host parties. She was the buttress to her family, and we look forward to welcoming her back when we enter into the New System of Things.

Due to the COVID-19 environment that we now live in, and based on the Amended Safer at Home Health Order for Alabama in conjunction with the CDC’ s Considerations for Events and Gatherings and Safety For Households, the family will have a Private Visitation at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home followed by a Private Celebration of Life Graveside Service and Burial at Alabama Heritage Cemetery on Saturday, September 19, 2020. To quote Proverbs 22:3, “The shrewd one sees the danger (COVID-19) and conceals himself (safer at home).” We love our extended families and friends and “seek not (our) own advantage, but that of the other person” (1 Corinthians 10:24) and will provide a link to a Memorial Service tentatively scheduled for October 10, 2020 at 11:00 am CST. The family would like to extend our thanks to all who have expressed their love and support during our time of loss and invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories by visiting www.Alabamaheritagefh.com.