Effie Mae Manning

Gaffney native

Effie Mae Manning Littlejohn, 77, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, in Ohio.

Born April 12, 1930, in Gaffney, she was the daughter of the late Hezekiah Manning and the late Doshia Manning. She married Mack Robert Littlejohn in 1956 and moved to Cleveland. Mr. Littlejohn died in 1993. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by five siblings, Herman Manning, Robert Manning, Gloria Manning, O.P. Manning and Charles Manning.

She received her early education at Granard School and graduated from Boiling Springs High School. She became the fist black "elevator girl" at Gaffney's Belk Department Store, a job she enjoyed since she was quite a people person. She joined St. Louis Catholic Church in Cleveland in 1975. After her husband's death, she took a job at St. Gregory the Great School as a lunch monitor. Originally called a "playground mother," she gave almost 15 years of service without being absent a single day before retiring.

Surviving are her son, Wayne C. Littlejohn of the home; five siblings, Murlee Posey, Max Manning, Hezekiah Manning Jr., Mary Scott and Trenton Manning, all of Ohio; five granddaughters, Waynee, Nakia, Davida, Marshelle and Mackesia; two great-grandchildren, Sasuni and Effie; three uncles, J.C. Manning of Charlotte, Jack Manning and Lowell Manning, both of Gaffney; two aunts, Mattie Manning and Nancy Watkins of Gaffney; another sister-in-law, Delores Manning of Spartanburg; and a host of nieces, nephews and others relatives.

Services will be held today at 11 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 1545 S. Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, with Father Dave Ireland officiating. Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio. The family will receive friends at the church following the interment.

Arrangements by H.M. Martin Funeral Home, Cleveland.

(Courtesy of Foster Funeral Home.)