Obituary of Essie Mae McManus Shelnutt

Funeral services for Essie Mae McManus Shelnutt, age 92, of Wedowee will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 1:00 PM at Benefield Funeral Chapel with Rev. Greg Norred and Rev. Tracy Cantrell officiating.  Burial will follow at Noonday Christian Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, December 26, 2022.

Mrs. Shelnutt passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022, at her residence.

Survivors include: three sons, Darrell McManus (Belinda) of Wedowee, Kenneth McManus (Janet) of Woodland, and Joseph McManus (April) of Ragland; seven grandchildren, Wendy Yarbrough (Joel), Nicole Ferrebee (Rob), Mandy Chambers (Roger), Haley McManus (Kasey), Taylor Grooms (Dusty), Chase Gallegly (Sara), and Britteny Broome; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Sarah Cantrell of Woodland and Gertrude Lane of Bynum; two stepdaughters, Cathy Davis of Roanoke and Janie McManus of Bowdon; one stepson, Mike Shelnutt of Griffin, GA; several stepgrandchildren; and special friend, Kenneth Wiggins.

Pallbearers will be Roger Chambers, Hunter Smith, Rob Ferrebee, Joel Yarbrough, Brent Taylor, and Haley McManus.  Honorary pallbearers will be Mrs. Shelnutt’s nephews.

A Woodland native, Mrs. Shelnutt was born on March 14, 1930, the daughter of Mark O. and Dovie Beck Smith.  She was a member of Noonday Christian Church and worked as a supervisor for Lamar Manufacturing.  Mrs. Shelnutt was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbert McManus, Harvard McManus, and Dewey Shelnutt; stepson, Larry Shelnutt; three sisters; and three brothers.

The family would like to thank special caretakers, Dr. Sheila Haynes and Alabama Hospice Care, for everything they did for our mom.

Memorials may be floral or donations may be made to Alabama Hospice Care in Oxford, Alabama.