Lydia Marie McManus

Published 12:01 am Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Sept. 8, 1923 – July 21, 2015

WATERPROOF, La. — Services for Lydia Marie McManus, 91, of Waterproof, La., who died Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in West Monroe, La., will be noon Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Waterproof with the Rev. Robert Humenay officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mrs. McManus was born Sept. 8, 1923, in Waterproof, the oldest daughter of Charles and Christine Testa.

After graduating from Waterproof High School, Lydia attended business school and began working for Frank Massony in Winnsboro, La., as a 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 Company (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 Alter 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-1990s, she enjoyed visiting with family and friends, growing her roses and attending mass at St. Francis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one sister, Christine Elkins.

Survivors include one son, Michael McManus of Houston; one stepson, Larry McManus and wife, Rita, of Vidalia; one stepdaughter, Joann Mullins and husband, James, of Clayton; one sister, Agnes McGivern and husband, Dick, of Monroe, La.; three grandchildren; and a number of cousins, nieces, nephews and a number of friends.

Pallbearers will be 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 may be made to any of Lydia’s favorite charities, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or to the Natchez Children’s Home.

Online condolences may be sent to youngsfh.com.