Emma May McMannamy

Emma May (Sell) McMannamy, 76, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at home in Leesville, Ohio, following a brief illness. She was born on September 14, 1949 in Leesville, Ohio to Della Lucille (Easterday) and Clifford Earl Sell who preceded her in death.

She was a graduate of Conotton Valley, Ohio University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. Emma was also a retired school teacher having taught for Caldwell City Schools, Swanton Christian School and substituted at Conotton Valley. She loved teaching rather it was teaching school, Sunday school, or teaching others how to do genealogy research. She enjoyed working with bible quiz teams at the Free Methodist Church in Caldwell and volunteering at Light and Life Christian Camp during the summers.

Emma married her husband, Jerry A. McMannamy Sr., on September 1, 1979 who preceded her in death on February 4, 2021. Her children survive her, Jerry Jr. (Sharon) McMannamy of West Jefferson, Ohio, Faith McMannamy of Leesville, Ohio, and Hope McMannamy of Charleston, West Virginia. Emma is survived by a grandson, Conner McMannamy of West Jefferson, Ohio, along with a step-daughter and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her nephew and nieces David Sell (Rose Gardner), Marcy (Nate) Pounds, Jill (Gary) Milburn, and 2 great nephews, and 2 great nieces. In addition to her parents, husband, two brothers John Lacey Sell and Eugene "Crutch" Sell preceded her in death.

Emma was an accomplished genealogist, and was a life member of both Carroll County and Tuscarawas County Genealogy Societies. She served as a past president for Carroll County Genealogy Society and was the current president for the Tuscarawas County Genealogy Society. She had volunteered staffing both societies libraries for more than 30 years. In those 30 years, she compiled and indexed more than 200 scrapbooks to be used for research purposes in the libraries.

Her journey into genealogy began while she was a leader for the Girl Scout troops at Bowerston. She helped her daughter, Faith, complete research to win first place at the Ohio State Fair in a project that was completed for Girl Scouts. Emma was a troop leader for nearly every level of Girl Scouts for around 13 years. In those years, she was the cookie chairwoman for the Harrison County troops in the Black Diamond Girl Scout Council.

She also enjoyed many years of following her children around to band and sporting events including helping her husband transport all of the band instruments for many years. Emma was always one of the biggest supporters of her children and their friends.

According to Emma's wishes, Pastor Brock Caldwell will officiate a private, family funeral before her interment in Leesville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions honoring her memory may be made to the Carroll or Tuscarawas County Genealogical Societies and the Conotton Valley High School Band.