Obituary - Louis Henry Manarin

MANARIN, Louis Henry, age 89, of Henrico, Virginia, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in his home on Friday, August 20, 2021. A historian, he was the former State Archivist of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Lou was the author, co-author, and editor of over a dozen books on Virginia and North Carolina history and was active in many historical organizations. He was also a longtime Boy Scout leader, receiving the Silver Beaver and the Good Shepherd awards. Raised in the Washington, D.C. area, he attended Valley Forge Military Academy and received his Bachelors from Western Maryland College. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Duke University and was awarded a doctor of letters from Western Maryland College. A longtime member of Chamberlayne Baptist Church, he served as chair of the deacons, a member of the choir, and a Sunday School teacher for over 50 years. The son of Louis and Mary Manarin, he was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Lorraine and Lucinda. He was married for 64 years to the love of his life, Jo Ann Matheny Manarin, who survives him. Lou is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, L. Timothy and Trisha Miller Manarin; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Patrick Cavanaugh; and his grandchildren who knew him better as “Papa Lou” and “Papou,” Grace Cavanaugh, Kerry Cavanaugh, Peter Manarin, Nathaniel Manarin, Margaret Manarin and Fiona Cavanaugh. A celebration of Lou’s life will be on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church (formerly Chamberlayne Baptist Church), 215 Wilkinson Road, with visitation preceding at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Henrico County Historical Society, Heart of Virginia Council Friends of Scouting or the Virginia Baptist Historical Society.