Ruth Ann Manley went to her Heavenly home quietly on June 15, 2026, surrounded by her family and the love they carried for her. She was 88 years old, beautiful to the last, with those strikingly blue eyes that never dimmed and hair that she cycled cheerfully through brunette, blonde, pink, purple, and gray as the spirit moved her.

She was born Ruth Ann Bradley on October 21, 1937, in Port Huron, Michigan, to Clarke Bradley and Mary Shatzline Bradley, and was later raised in part by her stepfather, John Cornahan. Upon graduating from Port Huron High School, she proudly served her country in the United States Navy. It was during her service that she met J.D. Manley of Athens, Georgia, and together they had four children. After their divorce, Ruth Ann dedicated herself wholly to raising her children, working two and sometimes three jobs to provide for her family with devotion.

Ruth Ann built a career with the Federal Aviation Administration, serving as a weather specialist in support of air traffic control operations. In retirement, she continued to serve, volunteering and advocating on behalf of veterans through the Voice of Veterans organization. She also served on the CASA Board, volunteered as a hospital Pink Lady, and supported numerous civic organizations throughout her community. She had a joyful spirit and a sense of humor she shared freely, and was a gifted Bingo caller as well as an unabashed fan of Elvis Presley, having attended no fewer than three of his live concerts. Those who knew Ruth Ann knew to watch their mailbox. For decades, she made it her quiet mission to mark every occasion, birthdays, holidays, illness, achievement, and simple encouragement, with a card sent with care. The thousands of cards she dispatched over a lifetime were not a habit. They were a practice of love, extended without exception to family, friends, and strangers alike. Her faith was the foundation of everything. Ruth Ann was a beloved member of First Baptist Church of Barnesville, where she worshipped, served, and found in her church family a community she treasured. She answered the call of mission work, traveling abroad to serve others in need, and gave generously of her time and spirit throughout her life. She was also a proud cancer survivor who faced that chapter the same way she faced every hard one, with grace and her sense of humor fully intact.

Ruth Ann is survived by her children: Jeff Manley (Haley) of Jackson, Georgia; Jan Manley of Monticello, Georgia; Jason Manley of Athens, Georgia; and Julie Manley Dedrick (Bill) of Sharpsburg, Georgia. Her grandchildren are Mae Osigian (Kory), Abigail Walters (Will), Abel Manley, Victoria Hatten, and Alexandria Hatten. Her great-grandchild is Jack Hamilton Walters, son of Will and Abigail Walters. She is also survived by her sister, Alice Marie Hux, and brother-in-law Al Hux, along with several dozen nieces, nephews, and their families in Michigan whom she loved very much. A great-granddaughter, daughter of Mae and Kory Osigian, is expected in July, a new life arriving as a beautiful testament to the family Ruth Ann built and loved so well.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clarke Bradley; her mother, Mary Shatzline Bradley; her stepfather, John Cornahan; her brother, Edward "Ed" Bradley, and his wife, Marilyn.

Ruth Ann Manley lived with purpose, gave without condition, and loved without limit. She will be missed and long remembered.

A Celebration of Life for Ruth Ann Manley will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Barnesville with Pastor Garth Forster and Pastor Jason Teal officiating. Friends may visit the family from 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either Voice of The Veterans www.voiceofthevet.us, or Little Children of The World www.littlechildren.org.

For those who would like to make an online condolence to the family, may do so at www.westburyfuneralhomes.com

Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, Barnesville, GA is honored to serve the Manley family.