Mary Lewis Manning Bliss

Mary Lewis Manning Bliss

Mary Lewis Manning Bliss ("Scrap"), age 94 of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully at home August 10, 2012. She was a fifth generation Floridian. Her great-great grandfather, Thomas Brown, was the second Governor of the State of Florida and a founder of what became Florida State University (formerly known as Florida State College for Women). She attended Robert E. Lee High School and Florida State College for Women from which she graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1939. Scrap was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority and made her debut in Jacksonville in 1939. Scrap formed lifelong friendships, still playing Mah Jongg with childhood and long-time friends until shortly before her death.

Scrap was the daughter of the late Dr. William Saunders Manning and Evelyn Lewis Manning. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, CDR. William Merlin Bliss, USNR (RET). She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her legacy three sons, William M. Bliss, Jr. (Cynthia), Lewis C. Bliss (Margo), Thomas M. Bliss (Flo), and a daughter Mary Lewis Bliss Ellis (Ken).

Her grandchildren are Elizabeth Moore (Jonathan) of Winter Park , FL, Saunders Bliss of Jacksonville FL, Cameron Ferrelle (Dodd) of Winterville, GA, Craig Bliss of Newport, RI, Christine Boozer (William) of Jacksonville, FL, Rebecca Bliss of Brooklyn, NY, Thomas Bliss (Jenna) of Titusville, FL, Matthew Bliss of Jacksonville, FL, Christopher Ellis (Vivian) of New York, NY, Cameron Ellis of New York, NY, and Alden Ellis of Washington, DC, with seven great-grandchildren and two more on the way.

Scrap was a former volunteer for The Junior League of Jacksonville, St. Vincent's Hospital and the Cummer Museum of Art. She was an active member of the Florida Yacht Club, The University Club, and the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of Florida, and a former Regent of Gunston Hall.

Bill and Scrap will be remembered as the life of the party. At age three, Scrap began a tradition of having lobster and champagne on her birthday that continued for 92 years.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Scrap's life will be held on Thursday August 16, 2012 at 1:00 PM, at St.Mark's Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida.

Arrangements entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Chapel 729 S. Edgewood Avenue, Jacksonville, FL. Please visit www.hardagegiddensedgewood.com to leave condolences.

The family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the National Society of Colonial Dames of America - Florida (NSCDA-FL), 4114 Herschel Street, Jacksonville, FL 32210 or St. Mark's Episcopal Church.