Martha Stephenson Manning Vandenberg

Martha Stephenson Manning Vandenberg

Martha Stephenson Manning Vandenberg, 89, of Orange, Texas, passed away on October 29, 2024, at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 1, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Dr. Gary McCormick of First Christian Church of Orange. Burial will follow at Parish Cemetery in Orange. 

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 31, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Orange, Texas, on May 30, 1935, she was the daughter of John E. Stephenson, Sr. and Martha Roberta Peet. She was a dedicated Teacher Aid at Little Cypress ISD, where she made a significant impact on the lives of students. Martha was known for her vibrant personality and loved to be the life of the party. She delighted in telling jokes and dancing, always bringing joy to those around her. Her interests included spending time on the river, water skiing, and other activities that brought her much happiness. Family meant the world to Martha, and she cherished every moment spent with them and had a lot of pride in their accomplishments. She considered everyone she met to be a friend. She was also a proud member of the First Christian Church of Orange. Martha had great faith and believed problems of all sizes required prayer chain support. Martha's spirit and love for life will be remembered by all who knew her. 

She is preceded in death by her father, John E. Stephenson, Sr.; mother and stepfather, Martha R. and Norman W. Couthran; husbands, Carroll L. Manning, and Stanley Vandenberg; infant son, David Allan Ray; stepson, Stanley “Van” Vandenberg; siblings, John E. Stephenson, Jr., Boyce K. Stephenson, Chester R. Stephenson, and Verna Dougharty; stepsiblings, Guy Couthran, Joann Dean, Bill Couthran, Ronald Couthran, and Donald Couthran. 

She is survived by her son, John Robert Ray and wife Shelia; daughters, Lynda Ray Smith and husband Troy, and Cheryl Dean Manning; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; as well as other loving nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Colby Potter, Cameron Potter, Colton Potter, Jody Ray, Ryder Ray, and Jackson Smith.