Martha “Marty” Jane Manning, age 94, of Belton, passed away on January 20, 2023, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo., surrounded by her family.
Visitation will be on Saturday, February 11 at 10 a.m., with the service beginning at 11 a.m., at the Belton Christian Church, 409 Airway Lane, Belton. A reception will follow the service and then the burial in the Belton Cemetery.
Marty was born to Hazel S. and Estell R. O’Dell on March 10, 1928, and grew up 4 miles south of Belton on a farm. She began piano lessons at the age of 7, beginning her lifelong love of music. She accompanied the Belton School choral groups through junior high and high school. She studied violin, playing in school orchestras in high school and college. She graduated from Belton High School in 1946, continuing music studies while attending one year at Cottey College, Nevada, Mo., and two years at Baker University, Baldwin, Kan. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at Baker.
Being a member of Belton Christian Church, at age 13, she began a career as church pianist and organist. She served as full time organist at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Independence; Hillcrest Christian Church, Overland Park, Kan.; St. James Anglican Church, Kansas City; and Crossroads United Methodist Church, Belton.
She served as temporary substitute organist at several other churches. Marty retired as full time pianist and organist in 2011 after 70 years. Marty played for numerous weddings and funerals for people of the community. Marty expanded her musical career by serving as accompanist for the Belton High School music department in 1962-1966 for Jon Ferguson and Jerry Fuchs, well known directors in the area.
Marty was the first woman elected to the Belton School Board in 1968. Marty was employed as a bookkeeper/accountant, beginning with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, followed by the Home Builders Association of Kansas City and several other Kansas City area companies. During high school, she excelled in business courses, winning first place in the state for speed typing in 1945 and 1946. She was a member of the Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, a lifetime member of the Belton Historical Society, loved playing bridge and reading mysteries. Her hobbies were collecting dolls and perfume. She spent many hours sewing, designing craft items and jewelry. She had a lifetime love for cats.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Estell O’Dell; her Brother Bill (Carol) O’Dell, Weatherford, Texas; and her husband of 28 years, Carder H. Manning, Jr., in 2017.
Surviving are her daughter, Linda E. Fleetwood, Overland Park, Kan.; son, Lyle E. Fleetwood (Tima), Belton; granddaughter, Lisa Morris; great granddaughters, Hailey and Taylor Morris, all of Olathe, Kan.; granddaughter, Stacey Harris (Mike) Lee’s Summit; grandson Dylan Cupples (Alex), Belton; five great grandsons; cousin Robert Slusher (Janis), Odessa and many friends.
Marty was proud of her husband’s musical accomplishments and was privileged to serve as his accompanist the last 29 years of their careers. Her family was the pride of her life and she always wished them good health, happiness, love and prosperity.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137 or HELP Humane Society, 17122 Bel-Ray Place, Belton, MO 64012.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleygeorgebelton.com for the Manning family.
Arrangements by McGilley & George Funeral Home
611 Chestnut, Belton MO 64012. 816-322-2995