Darrell Moody Manning

1924 - 2013

Darrell Moody Manning

Darrell Moody Manning of Halls, TN, passed away Sunday afternoon, March 17, 2013 after a short illness. He was surrounded by family.

He was born on April 23, 1924, the son of the late Felix Manning and Annie Riddick Manning. He was preceded in death by his brother, Marlin Manning. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Geraldine Lilley Manning. They were married for over 64 years.

He leaves his three sons and daughters-in-law, Kenny and Sharlene Manning of Halls, Gary and Patricia Manning of Arlington, TN, and Ritchie and Jean Manning of Halls. He also leaves seven grandchildren, Dustin and Deanda Manning of Halls, Shey and Joseph Manning Whitby of Alamo, Caitlyn and Brandon Manning Maas of Memphis, Caleb Manning of Arlington, Clare Manning of Arlington, Andrew Manning of Halls and Hannah Manning of Halls. He leaves three great-grandchildren, William Maas of Memphis, Davis Manning of Halls and Ella Whitby of Alamo. Additionally, he leaves his sister and caretaker, Joyce Wharey and his sister, Cornelia Alleshouse, both of Maury City.

He was a member of what Tom Brokaw called, "The Greatest Generation" in his book by the same title. Although he was unable to serve in the military due to a childhood foot injury, he served his country by moving to San Francisco, CA to work in the ship yards during World War II. Near the end of the war, he returned to Crockett County, where he married his beautiful wife, Geraldine Lilley.

He became a farmer and eventually went into the construction business as a bridge builder. He built many of the original bridges along Interstate 40 between Memphis and Nashville, but he never lost his love for tilling the soil and raising his registered Black Angus cattle. He left the construction industry to devote his full attention to the farming operation. He and his son Kenny founded Manning Farms. In the late 1970's, his family was featured in The Farm Wife News, a national magazine publication featuring stories about farm families.

He was a Freemason and a member of the Woodmen of The World Fraternal Organization. Most importantly, he was a Christian and he loved his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. He served his Lord as a member of Lebanon United Methodist Church for many years.

Visitation will be at the Lebanon United Methodist Church, 5737 Chesnutt Bluff Maury City Rd., Friendship, TN from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19th. And Wednesday, March 20th, starting at 12 p.m. until service time. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the church, with burial to follow in the Lebanon Cemetery.

Halls Funeral Home, (731) 836-7111.