Manning, Ruth Ann

It’s with deep sadness that we announce the quiet passing of Ruth Ann Manning (nee Horton), on Monday, July 14th, surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 28th, 1941, the youngest of five siblings, to the late William Horton and Alamae Horton (nee White). Beloved wife of the late Robert Dean Manning for nearly 60 years, and devoted mother to Stephanie Engel (Raymond), and Jacki Stephenson (Charles Ray).

Ruth met her husband, Bob, at a very young age, while playing records and dancing to music in her best friend, Antoinette Mueller’s basement. She stated that she knew right away he was the one she was going to marry some day! Of course they married on Ruth’s 21st birthday. Ruth had two daughters, Stephanie in 1965 and Jacqueline in 1967, who she built her world around. She was a wonderful role model for prioritizing family first. Her daughter Stephanie most cherished the times she spent walking with her mom around Francis Park, while Jacki most cherished times spent celebrating birthday parties with mom at her house. Ruth was highly involved in her daughters’ extra curricular activities and served in multiple leadership roles throughout their early educational years at Epiphany of Our Lord grade school. She was President of the Home and School Committee; Girl Scout Troop leader; Director of the Epiphany Toppers Drum and Bugle Corp; Chairman of Miss Betty’s Dance Studio; and participant in many other school committees. As Director of the Drum and Bugle Corp, Ruth saw the marching band win multiple trophies for top performance. Ruth also spent many evenings sewing dance costumes, summer clothing, and dresses. She was talented in so many ways, including all the years she spent crafting wreaths and attending craft shows. Ruth was an almost fanatical walker too, walking up to 10 miles a day, sometimes to and from work. I suppose you could say our mom, Ruth, was always busy doing something.

She worked at Tip Top Bakery in the late ‘60’s, and early ‘70’s, as a secretary; Fair Mercantile in the ‘70’s as a secretary; Venture store in Maplewood as a retail sales associate in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s until it closed; and at Cardinal Ritter Senior Services as a receptionist for many years until 2018.

Our mom was a tremendous caregiver, loved Christmas, was a huge St Louis Cardinals baseball fan, played volleyball and tennis in her early days, watched a lot of daytime soap operas, rode all the fast rollercoasters, had the best deviled eggs recipe, fond of ladybugs, always up for going to Florida, dined at Joey B’s restaurant with dad a million times, was fashionable and ate her dessert first!

In addition to her daughters, Stephanie Engel (Raymond), and Jaqueline Stephenson (Charles Ray), Ruth is survived by her 6 adored grandchildren; Jaime Simmons (John), John Stephenson (Melissa), Jill Buzzell (Ross), Jennifer Stephenson (fiancé Luis Castillo), Nicholas Engel (Kimberli), and Jeanie Stephenson (boyfriend Joe McGrory)…9 adored great-grandchildren; Cailyn Simmons, Jack Simmons, Bobby Simmons, Noah Stephenson, Levi Stephenson, Lucy Stephenson, Cora Stephenson, Ryan Buzzell, and Ellie Stephenson. Ruth is also survived by her sister-in-law Susan Horton (late William), brother-in-laws; Donald Manning (Leann), and Douglas Manning (Roberts). She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ruth is preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Manning; her parents, William and Alamae Horton; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Floyd and Louise Manning; her siblings, John Horton, Catherine Thornton (late Vernon), Charlotte Neeley (late Robert), William Horton; brother-in-law Terry Michael Manning (in infancy); sister-in-laws, Patricia Manning, and Sue Manning; great-grandson, Logan Simmons (at birth).

Visitation for Ruth will be Monday, July 21st, 4pm-7pm at Kutis Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 22nd, 10am, followed immediately by procession to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Donations may be made on her behalf to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family would like to also thank all of the medical staff at Siteman Cancer Center, Dr Kahl, and the many caregivers who cared for our mom over the last several years.

“We Love You Mom…You Were Strong and Brave”