Manola Blankenship McShan was born to William and Verlila Blankenship in Saline, Louisiana on August 3, 1927. She was educated in the Saline County School System where she graduated from high school and later earned he B.A. degree in English and Social Studies from Southern University A&M at Baton Rouge.

In 1947, she was married to Mr. Henry McShan and lived in Green County, Alabama. From this union, they were blessed with four children, Audrey, Joseph, Valerie and Marcus. Manola and Henry taught school in the Green County Shcool System for many yearsand during this period. she was recognized "Teacher of the Year" from the State of Alabama.

In 1965, the family relocated to Pontiac, Michigan where she continued her education and earned a Masters degree in Education from Michigan State University. She also secured a teaching position within the Pontiac Shcool System. Manola was a member of Saint Stephens Missionary Baptist Church and served as chairperson for Women's Day, Church Anniversary, and was active in the Women's Missionary Society. She loved children and education and after a long and distinguished professional career, she and Henry retired and relocated first to Alabama and eventually settling in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Once in Georgia, Manola maintained a busy schedule between her own family and her new church famil at St. Phillip AME. While at Saint Phillip, she was the General Secretary for the Senior Citizens Ministry and an active member of the Nettie Moore Women's Missionary Society. She was an avid sports fan, a veracious reader, a burgeonining gardener and devoted grandmother. Above all, Manola loved the Lord with a kind and gentle spirit, a loving disposition and a gracious beauty inside and out.

Manola is survived by her husband, Henry McShan; sons, Joseph McShan and Marus McShan; daughter, Valerie and her husband, Clarence High; grandchildren, Yusef McShan, Cari McShan, Jason High, and Gabrielle High; great grandchildren, Jordan McShan and Zyon Wilkins; three siblings, Albertine Richards, Jesserine Blankenship, and Wilbert Blankenship; and a host of neices; nephews, other family and friends.