Yvonne Arrington Maness

Lucy Yvonne Maness

August 10, 1940 – June 30, 2024

Chapel Hill, NC

Lucy Yvonne Maness passed away peacefully on June 30, 2024.

Yvonne was born on August 10, 1940, in Cramerton, NC, the younger of two daughters to beloved mother Christine Pope and father Perry Arrington. After serving in the Pacific during WWII, her father moved the family to Asheboro, NC in 1945. Her mother was a source of inspiration and support throughout her life, and in 1947 Yvonne, her mother, and her sister were led by God to Oakhurst Baptist Church, which provided them love, support, peace, stability, and growth. It was here, at age seven, that Yvonne made a lifelong commitment to God and her Christian faith would become the cornerstone of her life. She thrived as a member of Girls In Action at church and was also a strong student who loved learning and excelled at Asheboro High School, graduating with honors in 1958. Yvonne valued education but was unable to attend college at a time of few opportunities for women. Fortunately, her dreams of college did not diminish but would come to fruition years later. On June 6, 1959, Yvonne married Louis Maness and they moved to Danville, VA for two years where he completed an associate’s degree. Afterward, they moved to Durham, NC where they lived until 1985.

Yvonne’s career spanned more than 35 years, with the first 20 years at Carden Printing Company, the NC Regional Medical Program, and the National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina. While at the Kidney Foundation, she advanced from administrative assistant to fundraising coordinator, and eventually to Executive Director, managing 12 chapters statewide. Even more impressive was that, while working and raising a family, she also began taking evening classes at UNC Chapel Hill, eventually graduating in 1984 at age 43 with a B.A. in Journalism. Yvonne never forgot the lesson of not being able to go to college right out of high school and she advocated strongly for her own children to do so. In 1986, looking for another challenge, Yvonne began working at Glaxo, where over 10 years she advanced from administrative specialist for pharmaceutical development to supervisory roles of food & meeting and communications services. It was at Glaxo, while overseeing catering and conferences, that she discovered her passion for event planning. Again, while working full time, Yvonne’s thirst for academic learning continued. She enrolled in graduate school at NC State in 1990 and graduated in 1994 with a Master’s in Education in Training & Development. The final stop of her career would be at Duke Medical Center, where she served as Conference Coordinator at the Searle Conference Center for medical seminars, meetings, receptions, and dinners until retiring in 2004.

Yvonne’s energy and stamina was endless. In addition to working full time while attending and graduating from two universities, her calling in life was church and serving Jesus. She was active in three churches over 60 years, serving as a Deacon at Park View Baptist in Durham, a Stephens Minister at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, and an Elder at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. Yvonne knew from her childhood days at Oakhurst Baptist in Asheboro that she was called into ministry, and her only regret was that she was not able to answer His calling by committing to a career as a minister or missionary. Despite this, Yvonne touched so many lives within her churches, her family, her neighborhood, and her friendships. She always put others first and helped in any way she could.

In addition to leadership positions at multiple churches, Yvonne was also very social, had a great sense of humor, and loved hosting gatherings in her Chapel Hill neighborhood of 39 years, Falls of New Hope. She served on various committees and was very active in planning and setting up neighborhood events, cleaning up the park, and organizing block parties in the cul de sac. She also enjoyed having neighbors over at her home or in her backyard. One of her favorites was a Hawaiian themed luau on the back deck. Bringing neighbors together and enjoying fellowship with one another brought her great joy. 

Through all that Yvonne would accomplish in life, her biggest inspiration was her beloved mother, Christine Pope Arrington. She instilled in her daughter the strength, courage, work ethic, and determination to accomplish great things. Yvonne said that Christine was the greatest, most wonderful and supportive mother any two sisters could have. She also loved to serve God, particularly children, volunteering routinely in the church nursery. Christine introduced Yvonne to gardening, which would become a passion and lifetime hobby. Yvonne also frequently enlisted her husband’s talents to carry out her many visions, including home improvement projects, extensive landscaping, and even designing a backyard English garden.

Yvonne loved dachshunds and was introduced to them in the 1970’s through a friend at church. Over 50 years, she and Lou had five dachshunds - Hans, Gretal, Greta, Ingrid, and Ginger. Each one brought so much love and humor into their lives. 

Yvonne was admired and greatly loved by her family and many friends at church, in the neighborhood and throughout her life. She is survived by her daughter April Bullard (Scott) of Lake Oswego, OR; son Darren Maness (Jennifer) of Raleigh; grandchildren, Julia and Andrew Bullard and Sarah and Kate Maness, and her constant companion, Ginger. In addition to her parents, Yvonne was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Louis Ray Maness, and her sister, Patricia Arrington Cox. 

A memorial service will be held on a later date at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. A graveside service will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to New Hope Presbyterian Church, 4701 NC-86, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 www.newhopepresusa.org or to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org. Online condolences and favorite stories about Yvonne may be shared at www.pughfuneralhome.com