Kathy Jean Manning

Kathy Jean Manning passed away peacefully on May 2, 2023 surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her father, Milton Crowe, mother, Mildred Jones and step-father Jack Jones. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years Jimmy Manning, sons Jeremy (Wendy) and Stephen (Samantha), her grandchildren Baleigh (Carter), Bailey (Clint), Reagan, Tucker, Lily, and Markus, her great granddaughter, Eleanor; Sisters Susan, Sue (Robert), Betty (Roger); Brothers Horace (Linda), Jackie, Shane (Debbie), and Tommy (Donna) and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Kathy graduated from Fultondale High School in 1976 and worked at Pizitz Department Store as the shampoo girl just after graduation. Soon after graduating she married the love of her life, Jimmy. Jimmy and Kathy enjoyed life together in Tarrant, Alabama. She was your typical ballpark mom to both of her boys who played football, basketball, and baseball. She helped run the concession stand at Tarrant ballpark for all of the years her boys played sports.

If you listen closely you can still hear the high pitch sound of her voice cheering. You could hear it over any crowd. There’s never been a louder voice to cheer on her beloved sons and grandchildren at any sporting event. She never missed a game no matter how far away. Her grandchildren called her Nana and so did the hundreds of babies she kept through the 30+ years she was a preschool teacher.

Kathy’s joy in life was watching her grandchildren play softball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. She also found great joy in loving on babies that came through her classroom. When she would rarely agree to a vacation she loved the beach. Kathy worked at Roebuck Park, Bright Beginnings, and Gardendale Church of the Nazarene Daycare throughout her life.

She couldn’t wait for Christmas so she could decorate the 20 Christmas trees at her sister Sue’s home. She cherished time spent time with her brothers and sisters who adored her as the youngest girl of the family.

Her legacy will be live on in the children she loved and cared for.

A visitation for Kathy will be held Friday, May 5, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Gardendale Church of the Nazarene, 1800 Decatur Hwy, Gardendale, AL 35071, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

Kathy will be laid to rest in Oakwood Memorial Gardens, 2100 Moncrief Road, Gardendale, AL 35071-2374.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Manning family.