Lydia Marie Testa McManus

Lydia Marie Testa McManus

Funeral services for Lydia Marie Testa McManus, 91, of Waterproof,LA will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Waterproof, LA on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM with Father Robert Humenay officiating. Interment will follow at Natchez City Cemetery, Natchez, MS, under the direction of Young's Funeral Home.

Lydia Marie McManus was born on Saturday, September 08, 1923 in Waterproof, LA, the oldest daughter of Charles and Christine Testa, and passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2015 in West Monroe, LA.

After graduating from Waterproof High School, Lydia attended business school and began working for Frank Massony in Winnsboro, LA as bookkeeper for his cotton warehouse. Upon returning to Waterproof, she began a lengthy career as head teller at the Waterproof branch of Bank of St. Joseph and Trust Co. (now Cross Keys Bank). In 1964, she married Willie James ("Mac") McManus and left the bank to co- manage the Western Auto Store with Mac.

Lydia was a lifelong member of St. Francis as well as a member of the St. Francis Altar Society. She was the first woman to hold office on the Waterproof Town Council and was selected to Who's Who in American Women. In addition, Lydia was a long-term member and past president of the Board of Directors of Tensas Academy. She also played a significant role in organizing Waterproof's centennial celebration.

Lydia was an avid gardener and proud member of the Waterproof Garden Club. After retiring in the mid-1990's, she enjoyed visiting with family and friends, growing her roses, and attending mass at St. Francis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Christine Testa, her husband, Willie James McManus and her sister, Christine Elkins.

Lydia is survived by her son, Michael McManus of Houston, TX, her stepson, Larry McManus and wife, Rita, of Vidalia, LA, step-daughter, Joann Mullins and her husband, James, of Clayton, LA, sister, Agnes McGivern and her husband, Dick, of Monroe, LA, three grandchildren, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Pallbearers are her nephews and husbands of nieces: Harrison Wardlow, Richard McGivern, Jr., Frank Elkins III, Jeff Elkins, Darrell Evans, and Pat Ervine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of Lydia's favorite charities: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Waterproof), Tensas Academy, or the Natchez Children's Home.

The family will receive friends at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church from 10:00 AM til 12:00 PM, Saturday, July 25, 2015. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com

Young's Funeral Home

Ferriday, LA