Gladys “Chip” Manning passed away April 13, 2021, at the Legends Transitional Care Center in McAllen, Texas, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. She enjoyed her 92 years of life, which was full of happiness, travel, and a deep love for family and friends.
She was born on Nov. 29, 1928, in Caldwell, Texas, to Ella Machan Beseda and John Charles Beseda.
The Beseda’s owned and operated the New Tabor Country Store, the first general store of its kind in 1928-1967.
John’s brother would come to the store and tease Gladys about being “a little chip off the ole block” and she used that nickname her entire life.
Chip attended school in Caldwell and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1945.
Shortly after graduating, she went to Austin to attend Austin Business College where she earned a master’s degree in business and accounting.
She married Raymond Hickman in 1957 and her first daughter Patricia “Tricia” was born in 1960.
After the death of her first husband, from a motorcycle accident in 1963, Chip continued to work and parent her daughter.
In 1965, she married George Wesley Manning, Retired Air Force Captain (1955) and personal business owner. They moved to McAllen where she spent the rest of her life with Tricia and Wes.
In 1986, Wes passed away after a lengthy illness.
In 1990, Chip moved her mother Ella from Caldwell to McAllen and cared for her until her passing.
Chip loved community and volunteer work and was instrumental in organizing the first hospital auxiliary in the McAllen General Hospital. Additionally, she was the president of the Hospital Auxiliaries of the State of Texas and was a lifetime member of the auxiliary.
She had a great love for children and held the office of president for the McAllen Child Study Club.
Chip worked alongside her husband Wes for many years in his insurance business.
Following his death, she became the Director of Volunteers at HCA Rio Grande Regional Hospital for the next several years until she retired.
Her hobbies were gardening, watching old movies, and spending time with family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ella Machan Beseda and John Charles Beseda; her brother, Monroe John Beseda (1931-1945) due to a horseback riding accident; her first husband, Raymond Hickman; and her husband, George Wesley Manning.
Chip is survived by her daughter, Patricia “Tricia” Skalitsky (Jimmy Skalitsky); three granddaughters, Laurin Nicole Guzman, Melanie Brooke Skalitsky, Meredith Lindsay Skalitsky; and five great-grandchildren, Alexis Faith Guzman, Jeremy Daniel Guzman, Luke Ryan Guzman, Brynn Isabella Skalitsky-Reed and Madison Barron-Skalitsky.
Visitation was held Monday, April 19, 2021, from 6-8 p.m. at Kreidler Funeral Home.
A graveside service was held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements by Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen, Texas.