Lorena Manning

Lorena Boone Manning, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 18, 2026, in Gatesville, Texas, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Scott’s Funeral Home with Pastor Royce Cockrell officiating. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

On January 22, 1935 in Junction, Texas, Lorena entered the world as a surprise delivery to her parents Richard Warren “Dick” Boone and Dorothy Jackson Boone after her twin sister, Rowena, was born. Lorena spent her childhood in Odessa and Junction, graduating from Junction High in 1953 at the top of her class.

Lorena married Jim D. Manning on May 31, 1954 in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and they began their family in Odessa until they moved their three boys to Gatesville in 1962. Lorena started a career in civil service at Fort Hood where she worked for 30 years. Starting as a clerk typist, Lorena worked her way up to serve as Deputy to the Garrison Commander before her retirement in 1994.

Lorena was quite a character. When her sons blessed her with three grandchildren, she insisted on being called the full title of “Grandmother” and refused to answer to anything else. She loved singing along with country music (although her favorite song was “Sugar” by Maroon 5), sewing her own clothes, and wearing gold and silver sneakers. She was a creative soul and enjoyed writing little poems for her loved ones about anything and everything. The definitive matriarch of the family, Lorena enjoyed cooking birthday dinners for her family and winning at any and all card games, board games, or domino matches. She was not, however, a big fan of losing, a fact which her twin Rowena took great fun in pointing out (even if they were in matching outfits and they usually were).

Lorena loved hosting the annual reunions for the Dick Boone family in Junction and reminiscing with her fellow graduates at Junction High gatherings. She was very proud of her family and loved tracing her ancestry as far back as she could. Her efforts enabled her to be an active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for most of her adult life.

Lorena was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Dorothy Boone; husband, James Donald (Jim) Manning; son, James Anthony “Tony” Manning; twin sister Rowena Rose; brothers Bennett Boone and Daniel Boone; and older sister Dorothy Craig.

She is survived by her sons, Steve Manning (Carla) and Tracy Manning (Yolanda); three grandchildren, Cody Manning, Alexandra Hutchisson (Sean), and Tony Manning (Jennifer); and three great grandchildren, Jordyn, Abby, and James; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to her caregivers and the team at The Welcome.

Lorena (Grandmother), we are happy that you’re reunited with those that have gone before you, but we sure will miss you down here.