The name Cora Manning requires no introduction. Just one look and you were captivated and amazed at her age, grace, stamina, and zest for life. Her stride was filled with confidence, her smile was filled with delight, and she gave God the glory. To know her was to love her. Born on January 17, 1927, in Montezuma, Georgia. She is preceded in death by her mother Sammie Smith, father Jake Smith Sr., and husband John Manning. She is survived by ten children.
Cora never let a day go by without thanking God for her health and strength, allowing her to live to see another day, and thanking him for it being as well as it is. She said a special prayer for her family, friends, the president and the little girl who got off the bus. Thank you, Father for allowing her to live to see her grandkids, her great-grandkids, and her great-great grandkids. She enjoyed taking long walks and admiring all God’s wonders, occasionally she would be graced with the sighting of her favorite bird, the red cardinal, or red bird. Cora Smith met John Manning in Newark, New Jersey in 1951. They married in 1952 and purchased their first two family homes in 1954 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Cora was no stranger to hard work. The responsibility of raising eleven children was no small feat, but she and John made it look easy. Cora and John were both natives of Georgia, so in 1974 John had a home built on the current property known as the Manning Estate and moved the family to Georgia, leaving the home in New Jersey to the sons, John and Dewey. Country living and farming became the new norm. They successfully raised the children to adulthood and remained together until John’s passing in 1989. Cora continued to live on the estate until the age of 90, at which time her health began to fail. In 2016 she moved in with her daughter Cora in Centerville, Georgia. She remained there for three years and in 2020 she moved to Atlanta. She lived out the remainder of her life with her daughter Hattie until her passing in Douglasville Wellstar Hospital on Friday, November 24, 2023. We were all blessed and highly favored to have had 96 years of unforgettable experiences and beautiful memories.
Cora Manning enjoyed dressing up and looking her best, and she would encourage you to do the same. She loved family gatherings, listening to oldies but goodies music and dancing with her children. She carried herself with style, grace and class and could walk you down in a fancy pair of shoes. She enjoyed being a member of the Eastern Star organization and assisting people in the community. She enjoyed traveling with her children and experiencing new places, but loved being on the farm in her bed, in her home. Most importantly, she prayed to her Heavenly Father morning and night for his mercy and grace, his guidance and deliverance, and thanking him in advance, acknowledging that it was already done. We thank you Father for opening your arms and welcoming your daughter back to her heavenly home. Thank you in advance for allowing her to visit me occasionally in my dreams.
Cora was preceded in death by brother Jake Smith Jr., son Clover Manning, daughter Gloria Crittenden (granddaughter Robin Crittenden, (great-grandson Ahmad Crittenden) and granddaughter Tanisha Crittenden), great-granddaughter Arihya Bohler, and an unnamed infant.
Cora Manning is survived by her elder sister Annie Jones, eldest daughter Gloria Crittenden’s children (granddaughter Marcellene Joseph, grandson Mark Joseph, and granddaughter Evette Crittenden), daughter Artiezellea Leftenant (granddaughter Tamikio Bohler and grandson Alonzo Leftenant, (granddaughter-in-law Natalie Leftenant), eldest son John Manning (grandson Anthony Williams and granddaughter Aisha Galdman), son Dewey Manning (granddaughter Sandra Manning and grandson Dewey Daytyne Manning), daughter Millicent Whitfield (son-in-law Kelvin Whitfield Sr.), grandson Darrell Manning, (granddaughter-in-law Tammy Manning), granddaughter Laswanda Davis (grandson-in-law Ken Davis), grandson Jonathan Whitfield, grandson Kelvin Whitfield Jr (granddaughter-in-law Sharalee Whitfield), granddaughter Markia Law (grandson-in-law Lavardo Law), grandson Genie Whitfield, grandson Jamar Whitfield, grandson Earnest Whitfield, and grandson Christopher Whitfield), son Henry Manning, grandson Lamar Burton (granddaughter-in-law Shivonne Burton), granddaughter Heneicia LeFlore (grandson-in-law Antoine Leflore), granddaughter Leticia Matowo (grandson-in-law Nixon Matowo), granddaughter Ebony Manning, granddaughter Michelle Manning, and grandson Maurice Manning), daughter Cora Manning Billingslea (son-in-law Willie James Billingslea II), grandson Willie Billingslea III (granddaughter-in-law Christal Billingslea), granddaughter Monique Sanders (grandson-in-law George Sanders IIII), daughter Lillie Denise Estrada (son-in-law Lewis Estrada), grandson Ahkil Estrada, and grandson Kashif Estrada, daughter Hattie Belle Manning (grandson Devin Manning), daughter Romaine Anderson (son-in-law Drexter Anderson), grandson John Allen, grandson Jason Anderson, and granddaughter Jenifer Anderson, son Tyrone Manning; a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
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