Wilbur Ray Manning

Video Memorial TributeWilbur Ray Manning, age 76, passed away Saturday morning, June 23, 2012 at Baptist Memorial Hospital of North MS in Oxford, MS. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, June 25, 2012 at Shady Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Loyd Shelton officiating. Burial will follow in Shady Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday at Shady Grove Baptist Church beginning at 12:00 noon. Ray was born September 3, 1935 in New Albany, MS to the late Orlando Chess and Mattie Blanch Manning. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army while obtaining a rank of Private First Class. Ray was a faithful member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. Following his military service, Ray went on to work for Emerson Electric and Caterpillar in Oxford, MS as a plant superintendent and engineer before retiring. Ray is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Browning Manning of Batesville, MS; two daughters, Martha Jean Manning Gaines of Courtland, MS, Terrie Manning Harwood of Batesville, MS; two sons, David Ray Manning and Darrell Wayne Manning both of Batesville, MS; sister, Verna Faye Manning Warren of Southaven, MS; 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Beside his parents, Ray was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert Harold, Billy Joe and James Lamar Manning. The family requests that memorials be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church or the charity of the donors choice. Tim McMillen, Brad Pierce, Rusty Roberson, Wayne Lawrence, Darrell Reeder, Tim Douglas and Jeff Palmertree will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Bearers will be: Jerry Perkins, Red Trotter and Shady Grove Baptist Deacons.