Lucy Moore Manley, age 89, New London, North Carolina, passed away February 8, 2019.
She was born Lucy Colleen Moore in Albemarle, one of ten children to Margaret Hagans Moore and William Sumpter Moore.
As a child, Lucy dreamed of dancing like Shirley Temple, played drums in the High School Marching Band and French horn in the orchestra.
After High School she left to seek her fortune and future in Charlotte. While there, she met John Manley. They later married in 1951 and remained happily married until Johnʼs passing in 2001.
Lucy was in the NC Extension & Community Association New London Club (formerly NC Extension Homemakers) since 1978.
She was extremely talented on many fronts. The handmade prom dresses she made for her four daughters were nothing short of haute couture. Her needlework won numerous awards and her crochet hook never had a chance to cool off as each new baby in the family was greeted with a handmade blanket.
She made cooking and baking seem effortless. Rarely would she visit anyone without a freshly baked pound cake, pecan pie, or a sack of party mix in tow to leave with her host.
Surprise dinner guests were always welcome at her table and they knew it.
If you are fortunate enough to own one of her self-penned cookbooks then you really know what a treasure you have.
Lucy had a marvelous way with words. Her advice was thoughtful and caring and better yet, she knew when not to give advice.
Her quick wit and precision timing have caused many a reserved person to erupt in uncontrollable laughter.
She also had impeccable grammar, making her the best editor of any term paper, newspaper story, or theatrical script.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John, and her daughter, Margaret Anne Manley (Grey Carter).
She is survived by her children: Melinda Manley Little (Dan Little), Maureen Freshour (David Freshour), Marisa Pharr (Yates Pharr), eleven grandchildren: Marek Gines, Maura Little, Ryan Manley Taylor, Max Freshour, Lucy Rose Freshour, Isaac Freshour, Annie Pharr, Lucy Jean Pharr, Mary Pharr, Danielle Pharr, Jasmine Pharr, and three great grandsons Rudy and Baker Parish and DeMar Gines. She is also survived by her sister Margaret Moore Argudo and Richard Moore (Jean Moore).
This “goodbye” is written in sadness but our grief is replaced with the knowledge that she gave us a happier, more beautiful world to live in. And yes, that is a dangling preposition.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 9 at New London United Methodist Church at 1 pm.