Virginia "Gigi" Melville Manning

She was born on February 26, 1940 in San Antonio where she grew up with her older brother, Tom, and her twin sister, Melinda.

She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1958. Virginia briefly lived in New Mexico, Virginia, and Oklahoma before returning home to San Antonio.

Virginia was actively involved in Alamo Heights Christian Church. Her faith was an important part of her life and her church community held a special place in her heart. She was previously a member of the choir, cooked lunch for Bible study every week, and served as a deacon and an elder over the years. While her soul is at rest in Heaven, we know her heart will always been in her church.

Virginia was a talented, creative person, and was always crafting something. From handmade Christmas ornaments to homemade face masks, she was able to make anything she wanted to. That creativity snuck into the kitchen as well. Every year during Christmas, she made dozens of Christmas cookie baskets filled with hand painted sugar cookies. She also briefly ran her own baking company, hand painting cookies for special occasions. Anytime you stepped in Virginia’s house, there was a high probability she had cookie dough in the fridge for her grandkids to steal.

Virginia also had a deep love for plants, flowers specifically. Throughout her life she built a massive collection, including a stunning African Violet collection she adored. Her phone and camera were filled with photos of hibiscus and birds of paradise that she showed off at any opportunity. For the last few years, she proudly tended to a flower garden at her church. We can’t thank Peggy Jones enough for taking that over for her.

Virginia also loved fishing, especially with her son, Jason. As soon as she returned from a fishing trip, she was already anticipating the next one. Her family will always cherish her fishing stories, some of which were true.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edna and Maurice Melville, brother, Tom Melville, and twin sister, Melinda Boyd.

She is survived by her children, Thomas Manning (Melba), Cheryl Harden, and Jason Vinson (Cynthia); grandchildren, Dusty Wortman (Shannon), Thomas “Drew” Manning (Ashley), Jack, Jessica, and Melinda Harden, Emily Jones (Jacob), and Katelynn Vinson; and great grandchildren Wyatt, Parker, Annie Kate, Hallie Jane, and Harrison. Numerous nieces and nephews , great nieces and nephews as well.

The family would like to thank Antwonique, Tori, and Jackie for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to Alamo Heights Christian Church.

Virginia’s celebration of life will be held at Alamo Heights Christian Church, 6435 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78209, on January 3, at 2:00 pm.