Mary Dee "Granny" Manhein

SHREVEPORT, LA - Mary Dee "Granny" Manhein was born on January 4, 1919, to Martin Luther Elkins and Mattie Lou Cross in Pine Bluff, AR. She went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at Grace Home in Shreveport, LA. At the age of seven years old her family moved to Shreveport and in 1935 she graduated from C. E. Byrd High School.
On February 9, 1936, she married the love of her life, William Egan Manhein, Sr. and they celebrated their 70th anniversary before his death on March 19, 2006, in Baton Rouge, LA. Of this union two children were born, daughter, Louise Manhein Chamberlain and husband, C.C. Chamberlain, Jr., her daughter, Melissa Dodson Weaver and her daughters, Ellen Isabelle Weaver and Margaret Cate "Maggie" Weaver all of Shreveport, LA; son, William Egan "Bill" Manhein, Jr. and wife, Mary Huffman Manhein of Baton Rouge, LA, their two sons: William Egan "Trey" Manhein, III and wife, Kelly and their sons, William Egan "Will" Manhein, IV and Benjamin Kron Manhein, all of Brandon, MS and Andrew Jason Manhein and wife, Joey and their daughter, Mia Marie Manhein, all of Austin, TX. She also leaves her beloved nephew, Benton Vernon & wife, Nancy of Jackson, MS and niece, Mary Vernon Lowery and husband, Joseph of Jacksonville, FL. She rejoins her husband; parents, and sister, Scottie Elkins Vernon of Jackson, MS.
Mary Dee was a gifted artist, Kindergarten Teacher at Highland Baptist Church, where she was a member for many years. She told many flannel graph stories, taught various Sunday School classes and was the Head Librarian there before it closed. She and Bill, Sr. then joined First Baptist Church. Many people, her students in kindergarten, in Sunday School and in Training Union were influenced by her devout Christianity which was apparent in everything she did. She and Bill also enjoyed taking many trips together with their children and grandchildren. Up until her last illness, she could work up to three crossword puzzles a day!
After her return to Shreveport, she lived at Heritage Manor-Stratmore where she loved her Wednesday night meetings with her "Byrd" group. Mary Dee, Bill, Sr., Louise, Bill, Jr. and Melissa all were C.E. Byrd graduates.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, in the Chapel of Osborn Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2010, in the Chapel of Osborn. Officiating will be longtime friend, Ray Boswell, assisted by Dr. David Brice of Kings Highway Christian Church, with music played by her daughter, Louise and soloist, Margaret Williams Jones. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Marvin Jones, Kirby Rowe, Judge Louis Daniel, Alan Prater, Charlie Scholz and Lloyd Porter.
Honorary pallbearers will be her nephew, Benton Vernon, Curtis Petrey, Jim Adams and her "Byrd" Group.
The family requests that memorials be made in lieu of flowers to Grace Home.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Millie Kelley and Shirley Henry.