Ethel Mae Manns

Mrs. Ethel Mae Hairston Manns, 87, of Spencer, Virginia, transitioned peacefully to eternal rest on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, while surrounded by her family. Born on September 28, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Grant Hairston and Kathleen Price Hairston. In addition, she was preceded in death by six brothers: Walter Hairston, John Henry Hairston, Richard Hairston, George Hairston, Howard Hairston, and Russell Hairston; three sisters: Gladys Reid, Helen Hairston, and Kathleen Turner; and her husband and soulmate of 60 years, Paul Judas Manns.First and foremost, Ethel loved God and was a faithful member of Red Hollow Primitive Baptist Church (Spencer, Virginia) for over 50 years.Once employed for several years by the former Jobbers Pants Factory and Bassett Chair Company, she would later distinguish herself most notably for serving as a phenomenal foster and adoptive mother for the greater part of her life. In fact, in 2012, she and her husband, Paul, were bestowed the Nannie Dupee Award by the Martinsville-Henry County NAACP Branch for their “…extraordinary commitment and service to [over 100] children” during the span of some 40 years. Whenever she and Paul were called upon to take in children for a certain or indefinite length of time, they never rejected a single child. Regardless of the children’s backgrounds or circumstances, Ethel and Paul always treated and loved the children as their own. As a consequence, Ethel would find herself, without fail, overcome with grief every time a child had to leave her care.Throughout her life, Ethel was regarded by all who knew her as a genuinely loving and selfless person who constantly exuded the virtues of honesty, industry, faith, humility, devotion, grace, and altruism. With regard to the latter, every act that she committed and every word that she pronounced emanated from an innate place of sincere love and benevolence toward others. For example, she took great delight in preparing hearty Sunday feasts (large enough to feed a veritable army) for family, members of the church, or whomever would pay a surprise visit. Furthermore, she and her husband would generously share with others a portion of the assorted vegetables that they cultivated and harvested together each year. If that were not enough, she would gift to family and neighbors alike beautifully canned goods that she had spent hours meticulously crafting. In short, she possessed an inherent disposition to serve and love others as Christ commanded his followers to do.Ethel leaves to cherish her memory six sons: Benjamin Manns, Christopher Manns (Ismael), Terry Hodge, Joseph Manns (Christina), Raekwon Manns, and Garland Perry; two daughters: Angela Perry and Brenda Perry; a brother: Leon Hairston (Jeanette); several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.The funeral service for Ethel Mae Manns will take place at Red Hollow Primitive Baptist Church in Spencer, Virginia on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation with the family will begin promptly a half hour before. The family is currently receiving guests at the home of her son, Christopher Manns: 19 Booker Road Apt. 220 Martinsville, Virginia 24112.