Barbara St. John Manning

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Barbara St. John Manning, age 83, of Metairie, Louisiana, passed away in the early hours of August 23, 2025, at the LCMC ICU surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was born on November 25, 1941, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Gertude and William St. John.

The majority of Barbara’s life was spent as a stay-at-home mom raising five children who were born over a span of sixteen years. Barbara was a loving mother, disciplinarian, friend, and counselor who instilled a deep sense of family in her children. A testament to that sense of family is the fact that her children purchased homes and live within blocks of the family home where they were raised. Once her children were grown, Barbara decided to enter into the business world by opening several businesses with her husband, LeRoy “Red” Manning, Sr. The first was Rainbow Paint & Wallcovering, Inc, a business that opened in 1991 when Barbara was fifty years old. While successful with Rainbow Paint, Barbara wanted to take her passion for cooking into a restaurant. In 1996 Barbara and Red sold Rainbow Paint and opened the Corner Café, a neighborhood restaurant that was operated by her for over twenty years. At the age of 77 Barbara finally retired and sold the Corner Café. During her over twenty years of operating the Corner Café, Barbara established a loyal customer base and employed many people. Customers and employees alike all knew that they were more than customers and workers – they were her friends.

Barbara had many different interests during her lifetime. In her younger years she was an excellent bowler and became an instructor. At one time, Barbara and Red were both LSU and Saints season ticket holders. Barbara loved Mardi Gras and rode in various parades for years. Barbara and her friends established their own Mardi Gras krewe and paraded in Kenner in the 1970’s. She also owned parrots and show dogs. For a while she owned indoor cats until the events we know as the “dryer incidents.” Mostly, Barbara loved her immediate and extended family. She was the go-to person for holiday festivities and parties where all were welcome. After the birth of her first child, LeRoy Jr., Barbara began a Christmas Eve tradition that has taken place for nearly 70 years. Family, neighbors, and friends all enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus every year. No one was left out. Barbara made sure that everyone who attended had a gift waiting for them when Santa called their name.

Barbara is survived by her 5 children – Leroy Manning, Jr., Perry Manning, Sr. (Liz), Shawn Manning (Michelle), Jason Manning, Sr. (Jennifer), and Staci Manning Perez (Byran). She is further survived by 12 grandchildren – LeRoy Manning III, Perry Manning, Jr. (Mary Grace), Amber Manning (Glenn Jr.), Kyle Manning (Caitlin), Casey Manning, Jason Manning Jr., Carson Perez, Jonathan Manning, Mason Perez, Hudson Perez, Emily Manning, and Branson Perez. Barbara is further survived by her 5 great-grandchildren – Sadie, Harper, Glenn III, Perry III, and Hannah. She is also survived by her brothers – William St. John, Warren St. John, and Robert St. John.

Predeceasing Barbara was the love of her life and husband for nearly 50 years, LeRoy Manning, Sr. She was further predeceased by her parents, William St. John, Sr. and Gertrude Dimaggio St. John as well as by her brother, Dale St. John.

Relatives, friends, customers, and employees of the Corner Café are invited and welcomed to attend the Celebration of Life service on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a mass beginning at 7:00. The celebration and mass will take place at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana. Interment will be held privately by the family the next day.