Mary Ella Manley

Mary Ella Manley, age 90, of Ark City passed away Monday morning, March 20th, 2023 at Presbyterian Manor, Arkansas City.

A memorial service will be held at Harvest Fellowship Four Square Church, 1900 N. F Street, Ark City at 10:00 am, Thursday, March 23rd.  Burial will follow the service at Parker Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Harvest Fellowship Four Square Church youth program and left in the care of Shelley Funeral Home in Ark City.

Mary was born on Dec. 1st, 1932 in Eufaula, Alabama. She was the daughter of Kinley “Jack” and Inez Babb. She attended school in Eufaula before meeting Charles Manley of Winfield on a blind date while he was serving in the Army nearby. In a case of “love at first sight”, they eloped to Georgia on their third date, April 17th, 1949. Charles always exclaimed to his family over the years, “I met my million dollar baby at a five and ten cent store”. He and Mary soon moved to Winfield, as well as taking up residence in Augusta, and later, Dodge City. Ark City was truly their home, and where they worked and raised their five children. Mary worked at Rodeo Meat Packing, sold life insurance with her husband Charles, and later retired after 10 years working at the Kansas Visitors Center located on the Kansas Turnpike near the Kansas-Oklahoma state line.

Mary was a faithful member and supporter of the First Assembly of God Church for many years located at the corner of Fifth & Vine, Ark City subsequently moving to their new location on north Summit Street. For many years she was a vital part of many ministries there, including their nursery, Missionette leader, and women’s ministries. She enjoyed singing with children, playing table games, as well as cooking, and baking for family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles to which she was married 68 years. Her sons Michael, David and Steve Manley, her parents, Kinley “Jack” and Inez Babb of Eufaula AL, her sisters Barbara Freeman, Evelyn Strickland, Anne Zimmerman, and brothers James, Johnnie and Danny Babb.

She is survived by daughter Ruth and husband Randy Ryel of Ark City, daughter Susan Heimbach of Branson, MO and daughter-in-law Renata Manley, grandchildren Malachi and Andrew Manley, Kiley Hapner and Sean Manley, Adrianne Meyer, Stephanie Dobbs, Erika Hutchison, Emily Maharjan, Bret and Ryan MacMillan as well as 13 great-grandchildren and a great many nieces and nephews.