Homegoing Services for this long-time member of the Friendship Baptist Church will go forth at that church Saturday, February 1, 2020, 11:00 a. m. with burial following in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum.  The family will receive friends at a wake at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home, 318 North Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 on the preceding Friday evening from 5:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m.

God, in His divine providence, called Mrs. Jessie Mae Brooks Thomas Manning from earthly sojourn to a higher plane of existence Friday, January 24, 2020 while in respite care at the Winnfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winnfield, La. Her Creator said "Amen".

This purpose driven Christian soldier, sweet daughter and granddaughter, caring sister, loving wife, conscientious mother, grandmother and great grandmother was born to the late Matthew Sam Brooks and Gertrude Taylor March 5, 1942 in Natchitoches Parish.  She will be remembered fondly for her boundless energy, her ability to expertly balance being a caretaker for her mother, grandmother and sister, a loyal wife, aunt, church member and community activist with her working until retirement as a School Food Service Technician while never seeming to burn out.  She was amazing!

Her Christian journey was a most important part of her life.  It began with what was then called "fireside training" and led to her praying for a conversion from sinner to Christian, publicly confessing Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, being water baptized and uniting with the Friendship Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Richard Kesee.  This "faithful until the end" sister was an active and contributing member to this church fellowship all of her life!  She sang in the choir with a serious alto voice, cooked for church events, helped to maintain the premises and the building and worked with almost every auxiliary.  She must have taken seriously the lyrics of that old congregational song, "Put your time in.  Payday is coming after while!"  She loved singing and "good" gospel music.

She met and married Windell Thomas and, together, they became the parents of twelve children, rearing only eleven.

In the later years, she became the bride of the late Mr. Arthur "Pig" Manning and together they reared two grandchildren.

Our unforgettable "Jessie Mae", as she was oft-times called, was a friend to all and remained physically active as a softball athlete of note until her later years brought about health challenges.  She appeared to have been tireless!

Her years of working in the cafeteria at Natchitoches Central High School brought such joy to her as she loved feeding the kids, getting to know them, and cheering them on at the football and basketball games. Mrs. Jessie was loved by many NCHS graduates.

Preceding her in death were her husband, parents, grandmother (Mary Ann Taylor), sister (Mary Lee Taylor), brother (Matthew S. Brooks), children:  Baby Thomas and John Dell Thomas, grandson (Kenneth M. Thomas), and stepson (Chris Jones).

She is survived by those who will miss her from being down here but will genuinely cherish her memory are her children:  Fredia Pitts (Shaun) of Richardson, TX; Michel Thomas (Debra) of Houston, TX; Alsena Demery (Elbert) of Natchitoches, LA; Kenneth W. Thomas of Houston, TX; Sonietta Davis; Jimmy  Thomas; Jessicus Berry all of Natchitoches, LA; Youlonda Ratliff (Eddie) of College Station, TX; Deetrice Thomas of Garland, TX; and Deemetrick Thomas of Natchitoches, LA.  A special nephew and Godson: Eric Taylor of Natchitoches, LA.  Two granddaughters whom she reared as her own:  Whitney Thomas and Nikki Thomas both of Natchitoches, LA. One step-son: Marcus Jones of Angola, LA;  Her "Bubba", Cousin Ida Evans of Houston, TX; 1 brother, Eugene Brooks of Los Angeles, California; 28 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 2 spiritually adopted daughters; 3 god children; 1 daughter-in-law; 1 brother-in-law; 2 sister-in-laws; and a host of nieces, nephews, loving cousins and dear friends.