Ambrose N. Manning

Ambrose N. Manning, 86, of Seward Drive, Johnson City died Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Johnson City Medical Center. Mr. Manning was born on May 18, 1922 in Bailey, NC and had lived in Johnson City since 1948. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Ella Dailey Manning in 2005; his father, Howard F. Manning; his mother, Minnie F. Phillips Manning; seven brothers, Leslie F. Manning, Hubert Manning, Elmer Manning, Edwin Manning, Clarence Manning, Elton Manning, Ray Manning ; and two sisters, Myrtle Brown and Leona Brown. Mr. Manning joined the U.S. Army in September 1942, and landed at Omaha Beach on July 6, 1944 as part of the 35th Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic action at Gros Tenquin. He received a B.A. degree from Atlantic Christian College, an M.A. degree from the University of North Carolina, and an Ed. S. from George Peabody College. He joined the Department of English at East Tennessee State University in 1950 and taught there until his retirement in 1983. He was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1975. He authored many articles and books on regional literature and culture including 'Voices from the Hills'? and 'Appalachia Inside Out'?. For many years he co-authored a column entitled 'Singing Out'? in the Johnson City (TN) Press Chronicle. Mr. Manning is survived by four daughters: Martha Pointer and her husband, Bob of Johnson City; Mary Lou Eisenbise of Sarasota, FL; Margaret Ann Casado and her husband Ricardo of Knoxville, TN; and Marie Frank and her husband Gary of Abingdon, VA. He is also survived by two sisters: Marie Brown of Norfolk, VA and Pearl Brown of Wilson, NC; seven grandchildren, Robey Pointer, Charles Katt and his wife Emily, Joseph Eisenbise, William Eisenbise and his wife Kimberly, Ana Casado, Matthew Frank, and Daniel Frank; three great grandchildren, Taro Katt, Mira Katt and A.J. Frank. A funeral mass for Ambrose N. Manning will be conducted at 1 PM Monday, June 16, 2008 at St. Marys Catholic Church. Father Gerald Finucane will officiate. Interment will follow in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Robert J. Higgs, Thomas G. Burton, Styron Harris, Alton Manning, Dale Paduch, Edwin W. Williams, Jack Branscomb, and James Bankston. The family will receive friends at the church from 11 AM to 1 PM on Monday prior to the service The family request that memorials be sent to the Mary and Ambrose Manning Scholarship Fund, ETSU Foundation, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614