Katherine Renee Manson

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

– Dr. Maya Angelou

Katherine Renee Manson was born on November 4, 1974, to Deborah Arline Manson Staley in Lynchburg, Virginia. On August 18, 2021, she passed on to her heavenly reward quietly in her home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Katherine graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1992. She attended the University of South Carolina in Sumter with a major in Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. After college, Katherine entered the workforce with dedication and drive, and she excelled at managing a few hotels and several restaurants throughout her career. While Katherine loved her career and dedicated 22 years to it, she decided to take some time off in 2017 to better manage her health.

Katherine was a quiet and profound individual, but she always had a comedic spirit to bring to any occasion. She enjoyed reading various fiction and poetry by the late Dr. Maya Angelou, and she could hold a funny, serious, or intellectual conversation with the best of them. When she wanted a getaway, a sunny beach or a serene campground was her escape, and she enjoyed trying new foods in new cities whenever she had the opportunity. She loved to cook and bake, and always had a place at the table for those who needed it.

Katherine was predeceased by her loving grandmother, Katherine Arline Manson, and grandfather, Matthew R. Manson Sr. She leaves behind her daughter, Brianna Simone Hawkins, of Charlottesville, Virginia; her mother, Deborah Arline Manson Staley, and devoted stepfather, Albert Allen Staley, of Dalzell, South Carolina; her sister Zenobia De’Borra Staley Davis (Kenneth Jr.) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; her loving aunt, Minnie Louise Manson, of Lynchburg, Virginia; and several cousins, friends, and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021, at 2:00pm in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home in Lynchburg, Virginia. At the family’s request, attendees are requested to wear a mask so that we can keep everyone safe as we gather.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the professional healthcare services provided to our loved one by Johnson Health Center and UVA Health.

Condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com. Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Contact: 434-237-9424.