Miss Mississippi 1984 winner Kathy Manning has died from the coronavirus. She was 59.
Manning, who also worked as a weather reporter, sunscreen model and recording artist, had been battling the illness for several weeks and succumbed to it on Dec. 23 in Collierville, Tennessee, according to her obituary.
It is unknown if she was vaccinated or not.
Manning was survived by her children — Robert Edwin Loeb, Anne Hensley Loeb and Jackson Manning Loeb.
The Ole Miss graduate was also the second runner up for Miss America and a Miss USA semifinalist.
She was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, May 28, 1962 and received a BA in in Psychology from the University of Mississippi.
“For the many people who knew her, she was someone who loved to connect with people from many different walks of life – and really get to know them for who they are and what brought them joy,” her obituary stated.
“She left a mark on nearly everyone she met. During her high school, college and recent grad years, she was known as ‘Mississippi’s Sweetheart.’ And after moving to Memphis, many people viewed her as the heart of the city. And our hearts ache in her loud absence, especially during this holiday season,” the obit continued.