Barbara Elizabeth Maness

Barbara was born to Bert Florus Hannsz and Elizabeth May Hicks Hannsz on March 18, 1935 in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Reagan Highschool and received a degree in English from Rice University in 1956. She married Gerald Winston Maness in 1957 and together they raised 5 children.

She is survived by her children and their spouses; Kathleen O’Connor (Patrick), Steven Maness (Doreen), Karen McKenney, Kimberly Willingham (Bradley), and Karolyn Leasure (Robert). Also left to cherish her memory are her 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, Barbara’s sister Fannie Messec of Houston and her brother Toby Hannsz(Sandra Lee) of Arizona, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Elizabeth, Arthur Hannsz (brother), Wandalyn Hannsz (sister) and Gerald Maness (husband of 60 years).

Barbara spent her early years of marriage teaching special needs students. After having her own children, she supported her husband’s medical practice by keeping the books and continued her accounting role at O’Connor and Associates. She loved her church family and faithfully attended West 14th Baptist in the Heights as a child, Baptist Temple in the Heights when newly married and Berachah Church for 50 years. She served the children in all these churches and strove to honor God in all she did.

Her hobbies included piano, reading, and gardening. In her later years she was blessed to travel the world with her sister Fannie and brother-in-law Fred.

A celebration of life is scheduled for February 26th, at Forest Park Lawndale in the Grand Chapel. Visitation begins at 10:00 am with service at 1:00 pm, followed by 2:00 pm graveside. Lance Waldie of Harvest Bible Church will officiate the ceremony.