Walker Manning has been away from his hometown of Indianola for about 10 years, but his goal has always been to return to the Delta whenever the opportunity arose.
That chance did come recently when the optometrist got an offer to practice at Delta Eye Center.
“It’s nice to be back around family and friends,” Walker Manning told The Enterprise-Tocsin this week.
Walker Manning is the son of Brian and Teri Manning. He is a 2008 graduate of Indianola Academy.
He and his wife Chrissy are both optometrists, and they received their credentials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. They move to the Delta with a 2 year-old son, Caldwell.
Chrissy Manning is a native of Troy, Ala. She attended Auburn for her undergraduate degree where she majored in Biomedical Science.
She knew from an early age that she wanted to be an optometrist.
“I was in science class in about the seventh grade when I decided that,” she said. “Once I make a decision, that’s pretty much it. I don’t go back and second guess myself.”
Walker Manning attended Mississippi State, where he majored in Psychology.
Their paths would eventually cross at UAB’s School of Optometry, Chrissy Manning said, and they both completed their residencies at the VA Clinic in Tuscaloosa.
The couple recently settled in Cleveland and will work out of multiple clinics in the area.
For Chrissy, living in the Delta is different, but she enjoys the prospect of being close to her in-laws. Plus, Cleveland is a college town, something she is used to having grown up near Troy University, attended school in Auburn and lived in Tuscaloosa.
“That’s kind of what drew me to Cleveland,” she said.
The Mannings said they are looking forward to helping out the people in this community and surrounding areas.
“We’re hoping to bring in some new ideas and new approaches to care,” Walker Manning said.
He also said that the couple plans to get involved in the communities they serve.
“We want to be known as a couple who will help you outside of the office,” he said. “There’s a lot of value in that. It’s good to be somewhere smaller where you can do that.”
The two have spent the past decade in school and away from home. Now, they are ready to settle down.
“We’re here for good,” Chrissy Manning said. “This is going to be home for us, forever.”
