Clyde Allen Manley

Clyde Allen Manley, 81, of LaFayette, GA, passed peacefully to his Heavenly home on Saturday, January 31, 2026. He shared goodbyes-for-now with his family surrounding him in the Common Spirit Memorial Hospital MICU.

Clyde was born April 3, 1944, to parents Raymond Alexander and Myrt Magnusson Manley. From an early age, Mr. Manley's father taught him to garden, fish, and hunt. It was his expertise in marksmanship that earned him several commendation medals in the U.S. Army before and during his tour of service in Vietnam. He was an ATC Unit Commander with the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, and his skills, honed since childhood, along with God's guidance, saved his and many others' lives. Other interests Clyde enjoyed were coin collecting, relic hunting with his metal detector, traveling to the beach, studying the history and geography of Native American and Civil War heritage in the area, and frequent rides through the countryside.

His love for life led him to the love of his life, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage, and their three-year courtship lasted throughout their marriage. He celebrated creating memories and moments with his family as his favorite time of all.

Clyde was a long-time member of Bethel Memorial Baptist Church. He was a graduate of LaFayette High School and later attended college on an employer work-study program. He was a long-time employee of Roper Corporation, LaFayette, retiring as Supervisor over the Press Department in 1999.

Mr. Manley was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Raymond Leon Manley. Survivors are his loving wife, Nancy Gunther Manley, son Jeff (Crystal) Manley, of LaFayette, and grandchildren Ann Marie Manley (Rodrigo) Palomino-Montoya, and Allen Manley, all of McDonough GA. Also surviving are sister, Denise Manley (Jim) Shahan, LaFayette, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Seralyn Watkins Manley, Joyce (Craig) Smith, Judy Sikes, Steve (Debbie) Gunther, Stan (Starr) Gunther, Susie (Chuck) Romain, and Jodi (Lee) Rimasfski, with a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Clyde's caring heart and his sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and the funeral service will be on Thursday, February 5, 11:00 a.m., both at the funeral home and chapel. Committal services with full military honors to follow at 2:00 p.m., Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Donation, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, using the printable donation or online form from the St. Jude's website.

Clyde's family would like to offer special thanks to James and Kristy Mullis and the caring staff at Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette, for their dedicated attention to detail in the arrangements for their loved one.