MANNING - Winson C. Manning, 76, of Nassauville peacefully passed away Saturday afternoon, December 15, 2012, surrounded by his immediate family. He was born September 21, 1936 in Kingsland, GA. As a child he lived in Fernandina Beach and was a member of the 1955 graduating class of Fernandina Beach High School. In 1995 he moved back to the area from Lakeland, FL, after having lived for many years in Richmond, Virginia.
He was an ordained deacon of the Baptist faith and held current membership at Blackrock Baptist Church in Yulee. He was a faithful Christian as well as a devoted and loving husband and father. Mr. Manning was the consummate tinkerer, a handyman for all seasons, a lover of bluegrass music, sometime cartoonist, front porch philosopher and avid fisherman.
Mr. Manning was predeceased by his mother, Ida Beatrice Ryals Manning; his father, King David Manning, Sr., and two brothers, Darling Britten (D.B.) Manning and King David (Buddy) Manning, Jr.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jennie L. Manning of Nassauville, FL; a son and daughter in law, Gary B. and Tabitha L. Manning of Milwaukee, WI; a daughter and son in law, Debbie M. and Steven M. Crawford of Nassauville, FL; two brothers and sisters in law, Alex E. and Betty Manning of Suffolk, VA and C. Charles and Jane Manning of Fernandina Beach, FL; three grandchildren, Stephanie Crawford Adams (Clayton) of Yulee, FL, Briton Paul Sparkman of Houston, TX and Matthew William Manning of Milwaukee, WI, a great granddaughter, Sydney Jayne Adams, and three “adopted” grandchildren: Kristin Sparkman, Hampton Sparkman and Graceann Sparkman, all of Fernandina Beach, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom received the benefit of Mr. Manning’s wit and wisdom.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19, at Green Pine Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 20, in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home with the Reverend Gary B. Manning, rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Milwaukee, WI officiating. Assisting will be the Reverend Curtis Cantrell, pastor, Abundant Harvest Baptist Church of St. Mary's, GA and the Reverend Dr. Van Power, pastor, Blackrock Baptist Church of Yulee, FL. Interment will follow in the family burial estate at Green Pine Cemetery. A reception will follow all ceremonies at Blackrock Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to either Community Hospice of N.E. Florida, 4114 Sunbeam Rd. Bldg. 100 Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or The Building Fund of Abundant Harvest Baptist Church of St. Mary's, Georgia.