Willie B. Manning

Mrs. Willie B. Manning was born October 20, 1926 to the late Willie P. McKinley and Jessie Massey-Christmon in Taylor, Texas. She was reared in a Christian home by the late Fannie M. Herbert and Robert Herbert. She professed her faith in Christ at age five and was baptized at Ebenezer Third Baptist Church.

Our “fashionista” earned her wings on June 10, 2020.

Willie B. received her early education from the Austin Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Huston-Tillotson College and received her Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University.

Willie B. was united in matrimony to the late Henry B. Manning on July 1, 1950. They were proud parents of two daughters, the late Jessica R. Fowler and H. Gayle Manning, as well as a grandson, Donovan Odell Fowler. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Willie B. was a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the Budget Committee, and served as a Trustee at Ebenezer Third Baptist Church.

Her professional career included:

Library and Attendance Clerk, Austin Independent School District - Kealing Jr. High and Assistant to the Librarian at Huston-Tillotson College. She later became the Associate Director of Admission at Austin Community College.

Her social affiliations were the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Grand Slam Bridge Club, Ace-Trey Bridge Club, and the Conley Guerro Bridge Group. She enjoyed playing bridge, shopping, family gatherings and celebrations.

Willie B. leaves to cherish her memories her loving daughter, H. Gayle Manning, of Houston, Texas, her devoted grandson, Donovan Odell Fowler, her two sisters, Loretta Jones, of Los Banos, California, Audrey McGehee, of Cedar Park, Texas and two brothers, Horace Christmon, of Los Banos, California and the late Raybon T. Davis of Austin, Texas. She also leaves to cherish her memories her immediate Austin family, and a host of relatives and friends.