Alva "Darnelle" Manning

Alva “Darnelle” Jackson Manning, 83, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 22, 2025. 

Darnelle was born on March 29, 1942, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Alpheus “A.B.” Jackson and Zola Jackson. She was the 2nd born of their 4 children. 

Darnelle graduated from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. She married the love of her life, Edward Manning, on August 19, 1965. Unto this union, they welcomed 2 children, Danny and Dawn. 

Darnelle loved being a wife and mother to which she dedicated her life. She was a long-time educator within elementary schools for numerous years. She spent years caring and loving on newborns and toddlers after working in the school system. She impacted many with her love, guidance and no-nonsense attitude. 

Even though Darnelle and Ed divorced, they maintained a loving and respectful relationship and relished in their children’s successes. Darnelle loved cooking for her family/friends, basketball, football, westerns ( Gunsmoke), and The Young and the Restless (mainly Victor).

Darnelle loved to love on people! She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, love for children, cooking/baking, and above all, her unwavering love for her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother.

Darnelle is survived by her two children, Danny (Julie) Manning, Longmont, CO; Dawn Downing, Lawrence, KS; sisters Joyce Faye Boysaw, Rincon, GA and Linda Sue Armstrong, Lee’s Summit, MO; 3 grandchildren- Taylor (Terrell) Manning Brown; Evan (Elizabeth) Manning; and Mackenzi Downing, and 3 great grandchildren with one on the way.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on September 14, 2025 (1-3 pm), Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania Street, Lawrence, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating (in memory of Darnelle Manning) to the Dementia Society of America, www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com (http://warrenmcelwain.com/).