Eva Mae Manly

Eva Mae Manly, 92, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013 at her residence in Clyde, TX. Graveside services were held at 1:00p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013 in the Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Eva Mae Coffman Manly was the first of two daughters born to Dee and Minnie Mae Coffman. She was born in Abilene, Texas, September 17, 1920. She started teaching piano at the age of 15 when her father died. She graduated from Abilene High School and McMurry University with a degree in piano performance and music theory. She married Dennis Manly on June 7, 1942 just prior to his deployment to the Pacific during the second world war. During his absence she continued her music education in New York City at Julliard. After the war ended, Dennis and Eva Mae were blessed with three daughters: Deborah, Dinah, Jennifer. Eva Mae enjoyed a long career as a piano teacher. Music well done was her passion. She devoted 60 years to teaching.

She was a member of the Harmony Club of Abilene, the Abilene Woman's Club and sang in the choir at First Baptist Church. Her favorite music to perform was Handel's Messiah. She was a brilliant bridge player and enjoyed playing bridge at the Abilene Woman's Club. She also loved having small bridge parties with close friends, often playing until after midnight. Eva Mae was a serious Bible student. She loved to study scripture and to engage in discussions of faith. She strongly supported Israel and prayed for the peace of Jerusalem every day. She died in perfect peace having been lovingly cared for in the home of her daughter Jennifer for the last ten years of her life.

She is survived by her sister Dorothy Morgan of Port Angeles, Washington; daughters Deborah and her husband Walt, Dinah and her husband Terry and Jennifer Manly. Grandchildren Stephen Farmer and wife Shellie; Rebecca Berry and husband Chad; Luke Jones and wife Brittany; Jason Jones and wife Heather; Russell Martin, Justin Martin and wife Marissa; and Ben Rohus. There are eighteen great grandchildren and one niece and one nephew.

The family wishes to thank Hendrick Hospice Care for the compassionate and graciously skilled caregivers who have blessed our Mother's last days with their tender acts of loving kindness during her long illness.