Cindy Kay Manring

Cindy Kay Manring went home to heaven on December 19, 2025, following health challenges that took a sad turn. This was unexpected to all who loved her but no surprise to God, and Cindy trusted Him fully with her health…and everything else. She was a special lady with a heart full of love, joy, and service. It is impossible to fully capture her life in these words, but the following is a glimpse from the perspectives of three families.

THE MANRING FAMILY

Cindy Kay Manring was born in Burlington, North Carolina, on November 30, 1956, to Roubert Johnson Manring and is wife, Aleen Heilig Manring. Cindy had a happy childhood with her parents, four older siblings, and one younger sister. With her mother working first shift, her father (who worked second shift) had the responsibility to help the children get ready for school. Daddy made things fun, teaching them how to play games and directing them in various “exercise” routines as they waited for the bus. Cindy cherished these memories and, through the years, made frequent trips “down home” (referring to Gibsonville) to see her family.

Since Cindy and her younger sister, Donna, were only 18 months apart, their mom dressed them alike for nearly 10 years. They did everything together, including cheerleading, which was Cindy’s main extracurricular activity from her elementary school years through high school. The girls cheered for their brothers’ baseball and football teams and went to cheerleading camps and competitions. Cindy was also a Girl Scout.

Cindy loved the mountains and the beach, and her parents would plan spontaneous trips to both. The Manring kids would come home from school to find their belongings laid out, signaling an excursion. Sometimes they would meet up with cousins and go camping. It was great fun and added to the family’s store of memories.

Cindy’s mother insisted that her children go to church, and they did. This laid an early foundation for spiritual decisions Cindy would make later in life.

Cindy’s first job was babysitting, and following high school graduation from Eastern Guilford High school in 1975, she worked for an accounting firm in Greensboro. Around this time, she made a decision that would change her life forever.

Cindy came to understand Who God is and who she was. The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Cindy recognized that her own sinfulness was separating her from God and that Jesus had paid in full the price of her sin when He died on the cross. His rising again to life meant that she could live forever, too. She placed her faith in Jesus and accepted God’s gift of salvation. It wasn’t long before she made a decision to attend Piedmont Bible College.

During her Piedmont years, she became friends with Skeebo Lovern and Dawn Poole, who later married and had a son, Manny. They were lifelong friends, and although Manny isn’t a Manring, he was like a son to Cindy.

THE EPPERSON FAMILY

Shortly after Cindy graduated from Piedmont, Stuart Epperson, Sr. of Salem Media Group needed an assistant, and someone from Piedmont recommended Cindy. It was the start of a relationship that spanned over 40 years. Cindy was hired, and she turned out to be not only capable, but willing to do anything asked of her. Cindy’s loyalty and faithfulness allowed Stu to obey God’s calling on his life in Christian media, ministry, and public service. What started as an assistant’s job for Cindy became a family connection that had a ripple effect into the lives of four generations of Eppersons. Cindy was loved by all of them, and she loved them. She could get little ones to laugh like no one else. She was a jack of all trades in her work and so flexible. In addition to scheduling and intercepting calls, directing people and plans, and handling countless office responsibilities, she would sometimes pick up the Epperson kids from school and handle many practical needs for the family. She cleaned, bought groceries, prepared food, served guests, coordinated events and reservations, moved boxes, and much more. She was the person the children looked for when there was a scraped knee or any other “ow-ee.” She was the best nurse and whipped up home remedies for Stu and his wife, Nancy, too. Nancy said of Cindy, “She wasn’t a 9-to-5 person; she was a ‘whenever I needed her’ person.”

One of Cindy’s many hats included fielding phone calls. Whether it be the president of the United States, a local service professional, a Christian leader, or anyone else, everyone who called would hear that same friendly voice. So many people felt connected to Cindy because of her sweet and kind nature. She did not elevate herself, and you would never know by talking to her the incredible position of influence and power she actually had.

Cindy had a fantastic memory, and Nancy’s regular thought was, “Let me check with Cindy.” Cindy had a no-nonsense approach, saw what needed to be done, and tackled it without fear. She was a hard worker, and no task was too menial. She was a realist and and gave wise advice. She took care of everyone. An Epperson family member said, “She meant everything to us. Where would we be without her?”

THE WHBC FAMILY

Following Cindy’s decision to trust Christ as her Savior, she became involved in local churches and found love and connection there, too. In her final years, she was a member of West Haven Baptist Church in Clemmons, North Carolina. The Manrings and Eppersons knew that Cindy loved her church family. Her church family certainly loved her back.

Cindy could be described as the “church spark plug.” When she came into the building, she brought smiles, energy, and a rejoicing heart that was contagious. She loved hugs and gave them freely. She delighted in seeing everyone. She poured into children at every opportunity—caring for them, teaching them, and making them feel important. She was a kid at heart herself and proud to admit it.

She loved the Lord wholeheartedly and often shared with others what God was teaching her. In the ladies’ Sunday School class, she taught with transparency and depth. She eagerly took notes during sermons and sought to apply God’s truth to her life. She and several WHBC ladies formed a special bond as they prayed together on Wednesday nights. Cindy’s confidence in the Lord was evident to all.

She prioritized being at church services and events so she could learn, serve, and spend time with her church family. She was the church clerk for many years, and her servant’s heart uplifted others—staying late to clean up after events, giving rides to church, helping people with phones or technology, assisting people to their seats or to their cars, serving in a homeless shelter, and the list could go on. She was attentive to the needs of others and made people feel seen, welcomed, accepted, and loved. Selflessness was her habit.

BRINGER OF LIGHT

Cindy had a plaque in her office that defined the name Cindy as “bringer of light.” Cindy definitely brought light into every situation with positivity, godliness, common sense, and a fun spirit of adventure. “She helped us see things,” one person said, meaning figuratively and literally. Cindy could help you reset your perspective to an honest and biblical one, and she would also willingly hold a physical flashlight if you needed a hand. She was always there, supporting and encouraging everyone else. In a way, Cindy was a cheerleader her whole life.

How can so much love, joy, and service pour out of one woman? Cindy would say it was the Lord Who did it. She would want God to be honored, and so we do honor Him for letting us have this amazing, selfless woman in our lives. If she could speak to us now, she would tell us not to be sad. And she would challenge us to be ready for when it is our turn to die. Are you ready?

Cindy is survived by three of her siblings: Nancy, Rod, and Donna; nieces and nephews: Tonya, Donna, Robby, Melissa, Wayne, and Jeana; Manny; the Epperson family; beloved friends and extended family; and her church family at West Haven Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; three of her siblings: Johnny (infant), Ellen, and Dean; and a niece and nephew: Brandi and David.

Two services to celebrate her life will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

2 PM

Brightwood Christian Church

300 Brightwood Church Road

Gibsonville, NC 27249

6 PM

West Haven Baptist Church

2580 Old Glory Road

Clemmons, NC 27012

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