VaNessa Manar Obituary

Manar, VaNessa G. Weaver

VaNessa G. Weaver Manar, MBA Owner & President of MANNA Unlimited, Strategic,Versatile Organizational Development Consultant, characterized as a woman of faith, devoted wife and mother passed on Saturday at the age of 66.

VaNessa started her professional career as a Mental Health Specialist working with emotionally disturbed youth in a residential treatment center. As well, she worked with homicidal suicidal adolescent boys in a state residential facility. In subsequent years, she becoming an advocate for students and families though the court system.

VaNessa launched MANNA Unlimited, an organizational development-consulting firm that works to educate and promote community growth and empowerment.

VaNessa worked with religious organizations inclusive of: Apostolic Church of God, Valley Kingdom Ministries, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, and Bethany AME Church. Her civic engagement activities, community projects with organizations include: World Relief, Youth Guidance, YMCA/YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Sacred Ground Ministry, One Woodlawn, Northeastern University, Florida State University, Metropolitan Area Group for Igniting Civilization (MAGIC), Hyde Park Suzuki Institute, Women in Ministry Business Alliance (WIMBA) and many others.

VaNessa held a BA in Social Science with an emphasis in Psychology, History, and Organizational Development from George Williams College: ABA approved Paralegal from Roosevelt University; and she earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management.

VaNessa was a lifelong learner, so she fortified her degrees with continuous improvement by studying and earning the following certifications and licenses:

•Post graduate studies from Northwestern University, Kellog School of Management Executive Education ASCEND V program

•Licensed substitute teacher for South Suburban Cook County and Chicago Public Schools *Preferred and Long- Term Sub for Thornton Township Schools District 205

•Institute of Cultural Affairs, Chicago, IL |Technology of

•Stuart Atkins Training – Licensing Programs, Chicago, IL | Licensed Trainer

•Northeastern University Center for Inner City Studies, Chicago, IL | Concentration

•National Training Laboratory, Bethel, ME & George Williams College: Williams Bay, WI & Downers Grove, IL

VaNessa's faith in God and commitment to excellence are charterized by a lifetime of Christian service. Sister Manar's desire to make a difference was recognized early, when she received Christ as her Lord and Savior in her youth.

Sister Manar served on staff as a Paralegal/Human Resource Specialist at the Apostolic Church of God, under the leadership of the late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier. She served by providing leadership and administrative support to the Singles Ministry, Partners in Christ, Women's Fellowship, Youth Service, Baptismal Ministry, and founder of Day Timers, a morning Bible Class geared to those that found it difficult to attend mid-week evening services. As well, she managed the church's Wedding Department in facilitating over 200 weddings a year with a team of volunteer wedding coordinators.

She also served as the Vice President of the Illinois District Council's Ministries and Deacons' Wives Auxiliary. Starting in 2000, she also served her State First Lady, Sister Isabelle Brazier, in the Fine Arts Department as the coordinator of the Curriculum Committee and provided administrative support for the Apostolic Church of God 's Make A Joyful Sound String Instruments Program.

She leaves behind her loving devoted husband, Marvin C. Manar, Retired Pastor - The Church of the Holy Ghost in Joliet, Illinois and their young adult daughter, Binta Kai. The Manar family resides in South Holland, Illinois and remain members of the Apostolic Church of God under the pastorship of Dr. Byron T. Brazier. VaNessa continued her Christian service until her Lord and Savior called her home.

Visitation on Saturday, May 29, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home, 63 East 79th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60619, (773) 488-7300. The Homegoing Services will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at the Apostolic Church of God, 10:00 a.m. for the Wake and 11:00 a.m. for the Funeral Services.

Interment at Oakwood Cemetery, 1035 East 67th Street, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, 60637.

Sign Guest Book at legacy.suntimes.com