of North Little Rock, AR
November 1, 1918 - February 5, 2022
EUNICE MANEES KUMPE
Eunice Manees Kumpe (103) passed away on February 5, 2022. Eunice, the daughter of James and Mable Garvin, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 1, 1918.
She was raised in Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock High School in January 1936. In March of that year, she married Fred Manees and they had two daughters, Patricia, and Polly. Fred was killed in the Battle of the Bulge on December 28, 1944. As a widow and single mother, she worked as Manager of the North Little Rock Riverside School Cafeteria.
In June 1947, Eunice married Leonard Kumpe and they had one son, Leon. When her children were older, she returned to school and graduated from Capitol Business City College. One of her positions was secretary to the Minister of Education Baring Cross Baptist Church for seven years. In April 1963, she became secretary to John Matthews of General Properties, and then to James Matthews retiring in 1985 after 25 years. Eunice was the loving caregiver for Leonard until he died of Alzheimer in March 1999.
Eunice was a loving, caring person who always put others first. Her children were the love of her life. She inherited her love of music from her father. While she was growing up, he played the violin, and she played the piano for the square dances. Family gatherings always included singing around the piano. She played and sang for church choirs and also taught Sunday School classes. She loved to cook. Her southern dishes were delicious and enjoyed by her family. And, she loved to play cards. Some of her most fun times were playing cards with her grandchildren.
Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands and her siblings. Her survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Guy Shaha of Hot Springs Village, AR, and Polly and Edwin Jackson of Conway, AR.; son, Leon Kumpe and daughter-in-law, Jean Drapeau of Amelia Island, FL; ten grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at Edgewood Memorial Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2022. In place of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, www.habitatcentralar.org/donate
Sign Guestbook
4 Condolence(s)
Richard Eden
Friday, February 11, 2022
Leon, so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I will always remember her and your dad as kind and gentle people. So glad to have known them and you. May they Rest In Peace with the Lord.
Becky Lamb
Friday, February 11, 2022
Eunice and Leonard were good friends of my in-laws Joe and Betty Lamb. They enjoyed dancing and trips to Lake Ouachita. Eunice was a sweet, southern lady. My mother-in-law adored her. Condolences for your loss of a very special person.
Garry, Becky, Mason, and Rachel Lamb
Judy Cox Keisler
Thursday, February 10, 2022
I served as stenographer for John Matthews under Eunice’s watchful eye! She taught me more about excellence in the workplace than anyone I ever knew. She was an excellent person in every way!
Jessica Morris
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
I had the honor of styling Mrs. Kumpe's hair for a few years while she was in assisted living. She had an amazing character and personality, and I always loved visiting with her and hearing her life experiences. She was a wonderful woman with many achievements. She will be very missed, and I am so grateful to have gotten to know and love her.