Sue Carol Beasley Manning June 18, 1943 Aug. 25, 2026
Sue Carol Beasley Manning, 83, of Many, LA passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, 2026, surrounded by the people she loved.
Sue was born June 18, 1943, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Sybil Funderburk Beasley and Theodore Lealon Beasley. She earned her master’s degree from Northwestern State University, raised her family in Baton Rouge, and settled on Toledo Bend with her husband, James.
An only child, Sue spent her childhood reading, riding horses with her father, and joining 4-H. In elementary school, she started a neighborhood book library, giving away every book she’d read. She soon discovered the flaw in her model: she was the only one giving books away — and it never stopped her, an early sign of the generosity she’d carry for life.
Sue devoted her life to teaching in Honolulu, Houston, Natchitoches, and Brusly. She was also a philanthropist, supporting children’s education worldwide. She had a zest for traveling the globe, always eager for the next place.
Sue was a woman of extraordinary imagination and a rare wit. Known for her calm, quiet strength, she never had to say a word for you to feel it — you simply knew. Her observations were often unexpected, funny, and exactly right. She was loving, genuine, generous — entirely her own person.
Sue was a ferocious reader, and losing her eyesight didn’t change that. She turned to audiobooks, working through a story every day. Her imagination was so vivid she composed entire books in her head. Blind Services at the State Library of Louisiana let her keep reading, learning, and living independently; blindness changed how she read, never how much she loved a story.
She welcomed people exactly as they were. She gave freely — to family, students, causes she believed in, anyone who needed care. Neighborhood children knew her parting words by heart: “Be sweet.” Those two words captured what she believed. Her faith was steady and central to who she was, shaping how she treated others.
Sue is survived by her husband, James Howard Manning, of Many; her son, James Lealon Manning, of Florien; her daughter, Camille Manning-Broome (Devin Broome), of Baton Rouge; and three grandchildren, James Gerald Manning, Isaac James Broome, and Emerson James Broome.
Sue will be remembered for her imagination, generosity, faith, love of books, and her gift for making people feel cared for. She leaves behind a family who knows how fortunate they were to be loved by her, and will miss her significantly.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana, with Pastor Clayton officiating. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Antioch Church in Florien.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Isaac Broome and Emerson Broome; her brothersin- law, Johnny Manning, Curtis Manning, and Lattie Martin; and her son-in-law, Devin Broome.
The family thanks Sabine Retirement & Rehabilitation Center and Superior Hospice of Many for the care they gave Sue and her family.
In lieu of flowers, honor Sue by planting a tree.