Ronnie Jerry Manley

Ronnie “Jerry” Manley, 81, of Greenville, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, following a brief illness. He was born on March 5, 1944, to the late Buster J. Manley and Nellie L. Hughes Manley. Jerry grew up in the Dunean community, just one street over from Tremont Avenue Church of God which he attended throughout his life. Through the community and the church, Jerry made many acquaintances and life-long friends, still loyal to this day. In 1974, Jerry married Ruby Downer Manley to whom he was married for nearly forty-three years. He was her caregiver throughout her extended illness until her passing in 2016.

Jerry was a dedicated employee at St. Francis Hospital, serving a thirty-four-year career in Food Service Management where he was known for his dependability, work ethic, and friendliness. Jerry made many friends with his business suppliers, some of which he currently remained in contact with.

He knew most of his neighbors, including those on the surrounding streets. Jerry regularly walked along the streets in his neighborhood and cleaned up trash strewn along the roadside. It was a good neighborly deed, but for Jerry, it gave him some exercise, and most of all a chance to interact with his neighbors.

Jerry loved his family and enjoyed family gatherings and catching up with everyone. But his passion was his love of gospel music. He was an avid follower of gospel music groups, especially quartets. His favorite past-time was attending gospel singings at local churches and venues as well as venturing to other states to attend festivals, concerts, and enjoy everything gospel music! He was a collector of all types of gospel music media, from vinyl albums to DVDs, and everything in between. He loved to watch local TV Channel 16 to listen to the interviews of the musical guests and watch their performances. He had an impeccable memory and could recall dates, events, and countless details about people, especially those in the gospel music industry. It is fair to say that Jerry was the ultimate gospel music enthusiast.

Jerry enjoyed visiting his favorite restaurants and chatting with the staff and other customers. He met his fiancé, Elaine Shortt, at the former K & S Restaurant. He and Elaine frequented K & S, Harvey’s, and Gus’ Family Restaurants, where they enjoyed weekly meals, and fellowship with family, friends, and acquaintances. Jerry was always a jokester and enjoyed meeting new people; he often used his wit to strike up conversation. It is said “if Jerry didn’t know you when you walked in, he knew you by the time you left.”

Elaine’s daughter, Kimberly, and her husband Randy adored Jerry. He enjoyed their visits from Florida. He never had children, so Jerry beamed with happiness when he told people he called Kimberly his stepdaughter, and she called him Papa Jerry; all it took was her visit and Jerry’s spirits were lifted, and he was on cloud nine.

In addition to his parents, and his late wife, Ruby, Jerry was predeceased by two sisters and their husbands, Mary Manley Bennett (James Bennett), Ethel Manley Maze (R.V. Maze), and great-nephew William Henry “Billy” Hawkins.

Surviving is a brother, Richard Earl Manley, four nieces, and two nephews, Janice Bennett Elrod and Delbert Bennett; Malinda Manley Moody (Mike); Sandra Manley Beattie; Rudy “Vinson” Maze, Jr. and Tammy Maze-Derfler (Terry); one great-nephew Zachary Burns; three great-nieces, Amber Moody, Brittany Beattie Parks (Ryan), and Samantha Shannon Davis (Cody); one great-great-nephew Jacob Stepp (Nikki); and three great-great-nieces, Abigail Parks, Aeryn Parks, and Ava Parks.

In addition to his loyal family members, Jerry leaves behind his faithful fiancé Elaine Shortt, her daughter Kimberly Walden (stepdaughter), her husband Randy Walden, and countless dear friends.

Special thanks to Elaine, Jerry’s faithful fiancé, and prayer warrior. She has been a Godsend to Jerry and the family during his illness, visiting him daily, bringing food, driving him to appointments, running errands, and helping to care for him. Jerry credited Elaine with leading him back into the church where he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior.

Additionally, a special thanks to Doug Hayes, Jerry’s loyal friend of many years. Doug was a blessing to Jerry and the family throughout his journey. He visited daily, brought Jerry Cracker Barrel biscuits, spent many hours sitting with and talking to Jerry, and helped to care for him. Doug is a genuine treasure, and Jerry was blessed to have him in his life.

Services will be Friday, October 31, 2025, at Westville Funeral Home Chapel, 6010 White Horse Rd, Greenville, SC 29611. Visitation from 11:00 am – 11:45 am, funeral at 12:00 pm, and at 1:00 pm burial at Graceland Cemetery West, 4814 White Horse Rd, Greenville, SC 29611.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the memory of Ronnie Jerry Manley to Patriot Hospice & Palliative Care, 4741 Hwy 153, Ste B, Easley, SC 29642 and/or Bon Secours St. Francis Foundation 1700-Greenville, P.O. Box 632660, Cincinnati, OH 45263-2660

Condolences may be sent to The Manley Family, 901 S. Florida Avenue, Greenville, SC 29611