Lou Ellen Harvey Manning, 85, of Daniels, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at Raleigh General Hospital following a long illness. Born April 11, 1926, in Beckley, she was the oldest daughter of the late Joseph Lewis and Ruth Irene Bowers Harvey. Mrs. Manning was a 1944 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She received a Bachelor's Degree from Concord College and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She began her teaching career at Mount View Junior High. She also taught at Stoco High School and completed her teaching career at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. Lovingly known as "Sarge" by her students, Mrs. Manning retired from teaching in 1981. Mrs. Manning loved arts and crafts. Her hobbies were many and varied. She especially enjoyed leather craft, weaving and knitting. As an avid bird-watcher, she was a member of the National Audubon Society and served as a bird counter for West Virginia. Also in her retirement, Mrs. Manning enjoyed relaxing at a fishing camp in Tennessee. In her later years she visited the Shady Spring Public Library routinely, reading volumes of books. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dix Manning, in July of 2009, a nephew, Joseph Clay, and a step-brother, Joseph Harvey. Mrs. Manning is survived by a sister, Sue Clay of Leon, a brother, Howard J. (Jack) Harvey and his wife, Betty, of Beckley and the following nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Clay Mitchell, Martin Clay, Kathy Harvey Pulz, Warren Clay and Richard Harvey. She is also survived by numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and great-greats, as well as several close friends, including Jack and Vicki Kincaid and sons Andrew, Kenneth and Robert. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at Melton Mortuary. A graveside committal service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. For those wishing to attend the graveside service, please meet at Melton Mortuary by 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shady Spring Public Library. Online at www.meltonmortuary.com Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.