David Maness

David Vance Maness, age 90, passed away January 30,2024 in the home he shared with his daughter.

He was born November 13,1933 in McNairy county in the small community of Masseyville. He was the son of the late Jess Willard and Eula Virginia Crouse Maness. He attended Chester County schools during his childhood and adolescent years.

After school, David served in both the Tennessee National Guard and active duty United States Army. During his time in service to our country, he served in the Korean War and spent time in various countries all over the world.

While in service, he was married to Rosamond Armour and together they had two daughters, Debra and Elaine. While their marriage was but a chapter of David's life, their daughters remained very loved by both of their parents.

After his time in the military, David went on to work at Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral Space Center at the time) in Florida working with sound and telephone systems for the Kennedy administration. David went on to become a police officer in Jackson, Tennessee and then began working with AT&T's (BellSouth at the time) installation and repair team in 1985.

In 1977 David married Melba Gynell Wester and they made their home in Port St. Joe, Florida. In their nearly 40 years of marriage, they continually showed future generations what showing patience, having fun, and showing kindness in marriage looked like. David patiently cared for Melba, whom he lovingly referred to as "Nell", after a series of strokes before her death in November of 2014.

David was a talented and active man until his last years of life. He loved fishing in the many lakes and ponds in Florida and spent many hours deer hunting in Tennessee. He lovingly passed on his skills by teaching his grandchildren and great grandchildren how to fish and hunt as well. David was also an avid Atlanta Braves fan and never missed watching a ball game.

David is survived by his daughter, Debra "Debby" Faulkner, six grandchildren; Shelby Avery (Aaron), David Perry (Jennifer) , Christopher Carr, Timothy Brian Perry, John Faulkner Jr. (Marie) and Sabrina Vickers (Tommy); twelve great grandchildren; ten great-great grandchildren; four brothers, Raywood Maness (Jean), Harrell Maness (Terri), Robert Maness and Danny Maness (Loretta); and three sisters, Shirley Swallow (Bobby), Susie Smith (Danny), and Betty Ann Graves (Dennis).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jess Willard and Eula Maness, his wife, Melba Maness, his daughter, Elaine Wilson, two great grandchildren, Lexy Perry and Amber Vickers, and four of his siblings, Bill Maness, Larry Maness, Johnny Maness and Inetha Robison.

David lived his life in such a way that every member of his large family has very fond memories of time spent with him. He will be greatly missed. 

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, February 3rd at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue with Rev. Jimmy Breedlove officiating.

The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue 12:00 PM until service time 2:00 PM Saturday.

Shackelford Funeral Directors

Henderson, TN   731-989-2421