Sandra (Raley) Aikin Manning

Sandra (Raley) Aikin Manning was born October 18, 1946 in Dallas to parents, Roger Thurman “Buck” Raley and mother, Evelyn (Whidby) Raley. She spent most of her life in Dallas where she attended Woodrow Wilson High School and graduated with honors.

Her career after school was focused primarily in the commercial insurance industry, and she was employed by various agencies and major insurance companies. Her career achievements included serving as a vice president with a major international insurance brokerage firm. She oversaw contracts and insurance programs for major construction projects, such as highway development, streets and roads projects, high rise buildings and major sports venues, including the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. She worked with people from San Francisco to New York and London, and as a result, acquired many friends, an exemplary reputation and was well-respected by all who knew her.

After retirement, she spent the remainder of her years near Teague, Texas where she and husband, Winston Manning owned a cattle ranch. She was a passionate advocate for animal rights and supported numerous organizations whose mission was the care and welfare of neglected animals, especially horses and dogs.

Sandra was given an unofficial nickname of “Survivor” after having been present at such catastrophic events as the earthquake in San Francisco in the 80's and two attacks on the Twin Towers in New York, including the tragedy on 9/11. In New York for a business meeting, she had exited the South Tower only moments before the plane struck there. The conference room she had just left was several floors above where the plane struck and no one in that room survived the attack. She always credited God and an Angel for seeing her safely through that tragic event.

Sandra was a very good Christian, and following a lengthy illness went home to God on September 5, 2023. She will long be remembered, loved and admired by all those who knew her.

It has been said that “heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people and those who enter there will be neither unknown or unexpected.” Welcome home Sandra!

Sandra was preceded in death by her father, Roger Thurman “Buck” Raley; mother, Evelyn (Whidby) Raley; and brothers, Roger Raley and Wayne Raley.

She is survived by husband, Winston Manning of Teague; sister, Janis Raley of Dallas; children, Grady and Sandy Manning of Teague and Judi and Mike Hammock of Waxahachie; trusted companion, Red Dog; and many other friends and relatives.

“Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, also believe in me. In the father's house there are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if go and prepare a place, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you also may be. Where I go you know and the way you know. Thomas said ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way.’ Jesus said, ‘I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the Father except through me’.” John 14 1-6.

Sandra is now safe in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and free from all the pain and suffering that plagued her last few years on earth. One day soon, we will join her there. That will be a most happy reunion. Thank you, God, for allowing us to have Sandra in our lives for a little while.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Final arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.