Obituary of Thelma McManus

Thelma S. McManus, 83, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Sunday, August 30, 2009, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mrs. McManus, daughter of the late Abraham and Pearl (Berg) Goldsmith, was born January 7, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York. A genealogist, she was well-respected for her knowledge in Ripley County history, families and cemeteries. A New Yorker by birth but a Missourian by choice, Mrs. McManus held degrees from New York University and the University of Missouri. After WWII, she lived and worked in Great Britain as a librarian before returning to this country during the Korean conflict to accept a commission as First Lieutenant in the Women's Army Corps. She was married to Orville McManus in May, 1959, at Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Mr. McManus was a native of Ripley County and a career Army officer. When he retired in 1960, they came home on a visit and decided to stay. Mr. McManus preceded her in death on December 25, 2003. In Doniphan, Mrs. McManus became a school librarian until their youngest son, who was handicapped, could not attend public school. She then turned her interests in history and genealogy into a vocation and called the enterprise "Kissin' Kin." She enjoyed a wide reputation for her research as a genealogist and local history writer. Mrs. McManus had written and compiled several books on Ripley County and Ripley County cemeteries. Recently, she had collaborated with Ray and Ruth Burson, editors of Ripley County, Missouri: History and Heritage, published by Acclaim Press in 2007. She was a member of the Ripley County Historical Society, Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis Genealogical Society, Missouri Genealogical Association, National Genealogical Society and the Ripley County Library Board. As a member of the Doniphan United Methodist Church, Mrs. McManus exemplified decades of faithful work to our Lord Jesus Christ, serving in many positions, especially that as a member of the choir. Mrs. McManus is survived by three sons, Richard McManus of San Antonio, Texas, David McManus of Bartlett, Illinois, and Jeremy McManus of Tyler, Texas; five grandchildren, Phillip McManus of Tyler, Texas, Brian McManus and Kathryn Mitchell both of Nashville, Tennessee, Kimberly Williams of Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Kristin McManus of Chicago, Illinois; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, Harold Goldsmith, and one son, Paul McManus. Visitation will be Tuesday evening, September 1, 2009, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will begin Wednesday morning, September 2, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home chapel with Brother Kent Wilfong officiating. Burial will be in the Doniphan City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to a hospice of your choice.