Katharine Clare Manning: Miss Mississippi 1984 dies at 59 due to coronavirus
Katharine Clare Manning, also known as Kathy Manning and the 1984 Miss Mississippi winner, has died after contracting coronavirus. She died in Collierville, Tennessee, on December 23 at the age of 59 years. Manning, who also worked as a weather reporter, sunscreen model, and musical artist, battled cancer for many weeks before getting infected by the coronavirus.
It's unclear whether she was immunized or not. Manning was referenced in the late Mississippi novelist Willie Morris' book 'My Mississippi', and her obituary opens with a line from the book. "I made a side tour to Drew…to visit a former student of mine at Ole Miss who had been named runner-up to Miss America in Atlantic City, but she had been out in the swamp most of the night killing bullfrogs with a .22 pistol for a frog-fry..."
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Her obituary read, “For the many people who knew her, she was someone who loved to connect with people from many different walks of life – and really get to know them for who they are and what brought them joy, She left a mark on nearly everyone she met. During her high school, college and recent grad years, she was known as ‘Mississippi’s Sweetheart.’ And after moving to Memphis, many people viewed her as the heart of the city. And our hearts ache in her loud absence, especially during this holiday season."
While attending Ole Miss, Manning participated in the Miss Mississippi state pageant in 1984. She then went on to win the preliminary swimsuit competition and place second in the Miss America competition. Manning was also a Miss Mississippi USA semi-finalist in 1984 and a Miss USA semi-finalist in 1985. Manning, whose married name was Loeb, earned a psychology degree from the institution. She became a Delta Gamma sorority member while in university.
The former pageant queen also worked as a weather reporter for a local station in Memphis, a model, and a Christian recording artist and vocalist. She stayed engaged in philanthropy even after her pageant days, helping with organizations such as the Memphis Humane Society, Alzheimer's Day Care Centers, Palmer Home for Children, Crisis Center, and Orpheum Memphis. Manning was buried in Memphis in a private ceremony on December 29.