It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marion Lee Maneth and Myra Jean (MJ) Maneth of Cabot, Arkansas, who went to be with the Lord with their beloved son Jeffry Blane Maneth on April 11, 2025. They were married on February 20, 1978.
Marion was born in Great Bend, Kansas on December 8, 1950. Marion served in the Honor Guard in Washington DC before moving back to Kansas in 1975 and meeting MJ. He dedicated many years to crop dusting, charter flying, freight flying and working on their family farm the first few years of their marriage. On September 5, 1989 Marion began working for Enbridge as a pipeline patrol pilot where he worked for more than 35 years. He achieved over 41,000 flight hours and was honored with the Wright Brother’s Master Pilot award in January of 2025. Marion had a passion for golf, fishing, hunting, and flying.
MJ was born in Liberal, Kansas on January 23, 1947. During their time in Liberal, MJ owned a children’s clothing boutique named Pride and Joy. Upon moving to Arkansas, she put her career on hold to raise her children. When her children went on to college she obtained her license and began working in the insurance industry. She finished her career in Lonoke County serving on the election commission then working at Lonoke County Courthouse in the Clerk’s office. MJ was a member of Community Bible Study (CBS) in Cabot and she was active in the Faith Services Misson (FSM). MJ enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, cheering on the Razorbacks and gardening.
Marion and MJ were dedicated members Faith Baptist Church and were active members of their Sunday school class where Marion helped teach. They were members of Rolling Hills Country Club. They were devoted parents who supported their children and grandchildren by attending numerous golf tournaments, baseball games, high stepper performances, and other family events. They cherished evenings on their deck in ‘Nana’s Corner’, enjoying the stars, cooking dinners, and spending quality time with their family. Their lives were marked by compassion, generosity, and a deep sense of purpose. They traveled many paths together, always side by side, sharing dreams and mutual support. Their unwavering love for Christ was evident throughout their lives. Their 49 years of marriage is a testament to faith, family, and enduring devotion.
Marion and MJ left this earth with their beloved son Jeff. They are survived by their daughter-in-law Elizabeth Erin Buelow Maneth, grandson Steven Carter Maneth, granddaughter Elizabeth Blane Maneth, all of Texarkana, Arkansas; daughter Darcy Leigh Adams, Mark Andrew Baker, and grandson Mason Drake Adams, all of North Little Rock, Arkansas; mother Dorothy Ann Maneth of Great Bend, Kansas; two brothers: Robert J Maneth of Mountain Home, AR and Mike Maneth and wife Tami of Lincoln, MO; three sisters Karen Loving and husband Marty of Pawnee Rock, Connie Rosel and husband George of Highland Ranch, CO and Pam Spaulding and husband Greg of Manhattan, KS as well as their beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Marion and MJ are preceded in death by parents Mervin and Mildred Skinner of Liberal, Kansas, and father Robert Maneth of Great Bend, Kansas.
A family hosted memorial service honoring their lives will be held at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, located at 301 Bill Foster Memorial Hwy Cabot, Arkansas, 72023 on Saturday April 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Friends and family are invited to share their memories and celebrate the legacy of love and faith that Marion, MJ and Jeff leave behind.
Memorials in their honor can be made to Faith Baptist Church “Faith Support Card Ministry” located at 301 Bill Foster Memorial Hwy Cabot, Arkansas, 72023, reflecting Marion and MJ’s lifelong commitment to helping others and serving their community.
Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400. Marion and MJ’s online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
21 Comments
A dear friend who I miss.
So sorry to hear about your folks, may God be with you during this trying time.
Marion was a great US Army veteran from the Old Guard unit at Ft Meyer, VA. I met him over 30 years ago as a fellow pilot with Panhandle Eastern. He was a superb aviator, a loyal friend and a devoted Christian husband, father and grandfather. I still have the engraved blanket that his dear wife MJ’s church group sent to my wife Margaret as she struggled with terminal cancer in 2012. We will Never Forget this grand and loving couple who brought such joy to our lives. May God bless their souls and bring comfort to all those who loved them.
Truly wonderful people. Always treated me like family. I am a better person for knowing them, and they are, and will continue to be missed forever.
So tragic. I was a friend of Jeff’s in the insurance industry Darcy, I can’t find any words to express your sorrow. Try and stay strong and live on the precious memories. They are now living inside your heart. ❤️
Just can’t grasp all the sadness you are feeling Darcy. May God wrap his arms around you & hold you tightley! Love & miss you!
So sorry for your loss…praying for you all!
God Bless & God Speed. It breaks my heart.
So sorry for this family’s loss. Our prayers and love go out to this sweet Christian family.
Darcy – Your loss is unspeakable. May you cling to the Father who welcomed them to heaven, and may you forever feel God near. Our prayers are with you all.
I’m at loss for words😪 I am so sorry for this tragedy 😢 May God be with the family🙏🙏
Prayers and thoughts are with you always. God Bless.
Deepest sympathy for this loss of your loved one’s. They obviously shared a wonder & fulfilled life.
Family acquaintances from Liberal, KS.
The Wills & Clingan’s send prayers & love.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your loved ones. It was certainly an unexpected tragedy but we know that God has all in control. May His peace and comfort be yours as you grieve this loss.
MJ and Buddy were exceptional people. Loved everyone and treated them as family. Prayers for Darcy and Mason and the rest of the family.
I am saddened for the loss of Myra Jean, Marion, and Jeff. I always appreciated them as such a sweet family. I remember little Jeff in my first grade class. Such a kind, energetic little guy, with great parents.
My sincerest condolences to Darcy and Connie especially.
Indeed it was a sad news to hear about Marion passing away. He was a great person to talk to and was always very respectful and humble. May God rest his soul in peace and give strength to his family to bear this loss.
Praying for Darcy and other family members 😞
I was so sorry to hear of this tragedy. On behalf of my class at Great Bend High School, I am sending condolences to all the Maneth family.
Knowing heaven is celebrating & understands how we were not ready to let them go. Taking comfort in knowing we will see them again 1 day. My heart goes out w my prayers for comfort for you, Darcy & the rest of their loved ones. They had such an impact on my life, you all did!!!
I wanted to express my sorrow of losing MJ and Buddy (and Jeffry). Buddy was such an outstanding fellow and has such a large family, I couldn’t help feel that his loss overshadowed the loss of my “Aunt Jeannie” and her own accomplishments at the funeral. She was one of my late mother’s favorite cousins and there were periods of time that they talked almost nearly every night. It was through my Mom that I always knew what was going on with the Maneth clan. And her Christmas cards of her gorgeous, accomplished family were a treat every Christmas.
When I knew her as a little girl and we would make the trip back to visit Mom’s family at least once a year, I was always treated like a little princess by everyone and thoroughly spoiled. But when I saw Jeannie, I knew we were going to have some real fun. She was a super lively relative who seemed like a big kid in an adult body and I adored her. She too loved all the girl things like shopping, and dressing up and going out for nice meals. She was an incredibly loving and thoughtful person.
After losing Mom in late 2022, MJ made a big effort to connect with me and try to tie me back into the family as I am an only child and living in Indianapolis. I still regret not coming to Buddy and his brother’s FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilots Award Ceremony just a few months before the crash. MJ had invited me but I didn’t yet feel physically well enough for travel. Both MJ and Buddy gave me a great gift by coming to my mom’s ash internment in Liberal, Kansas. I feel the loss of what could have been – a new-to-me family who really tried to include me. God Bless their lovely souls.
PS: I wanted to share a favorite story my Mom loved to share about Marion and Jeannie. Jeannie had been divorced once? twice? when she met Marion. An unkind female relative at a family get-together took in Marion and then turned to Jeannie and asked loudly, “Well, which one is this one?” Marion stepped forward and held out his hand with his beautifully polished military bearing and said “I’m the last one.” And indeed, he was.
Love,
Tracy Ball
Daughter of Linda Heckman Ball, Granddaugther of Ruth Skinner Heckman
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