Obituary of T. Allen Manning

Thomas Allen Manning was born on June 6, 1948. He was the second oldest of seven children to H. Lewis and Jessie Mae Manning. Most of his childhood was spent helping the family support a farm-to-table lifestyle which gave him a very strong work ethic and great respect for working class people. He attended Coal City School and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and horseback riding through childhood. He graduated from Pell City High School in 1966. During high school, he was a school bus driver and worked at Pell City A & P Foods. After graduation, he enrolled in Gadsden State Community College for education in business courses. In August of 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he worked as a fireman and electrician. While stationed overseas during the Vietnam War era, he worked as an electrician’s mate on Naval ships traveling Europe. After returning home in 1971, he worked for the Alabama Department of Agriculture as a food inspector throughout the state. In the mid-1970s, he began managing and operating Manning Service Station, the local full-service auto station and tire shop, for many years before taking a civil service job at Anniston Army Depot. He began his career as a heavy equipment operator there, which became his true passion in life. When he left the Depot, he started his own excavating business. He was personally responsible for clearing many commercial properties and laid the foundations of multiple residential properties throughout St. Clair County. In 1990, he took on a second construction-based business doing sandblasting. After a long battle with COPD, he took his final breath at age 76 on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2024. He found the most fulfillment in the seat of a tractor and enjoyed farming and gardening. He loved his family and friends, and he was a great protector of all. He was a proud and dedicated father, loyal son, brother, and true friend to many. He was a keeper of oaths, master of many trades, and a great teacher of knowledge. He was honest, hard-working, strong, and direct. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Jessie Mae Manning; and brothers, David Manning and Mike Manning. He is survived by his daughter, Carla McKinnon (Josh); son, Mark Manning; sisters, Sandra McDonald (Doug),Kathy Self, and Annette Manning; brother, Paul Manning (Marie); and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Usrey Funeral Home - Pell City from 6 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The funeral service will be held at Usrey Funeral Home - Pell City at 11 am on Thursday, November 14, 2024, with Bro. Edwin Talley officiating, followed by interment at Popes Chapel Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Charlie Hall, Andy McDonald, Richard Partain, Cade Walker, Jason Phillips, and Shane Manning. Honorary pallbearers are Ruben Manning and Stephen Manning. Condolences may be offered online at www.usreyfuneralhome.com. Usrey Funeral Home – Pell City is in charge of arrangements.