Henry Clay Manns Sr.

In the late hours on Sunday, September 23, 2007, Henry Clay Manns, Sr. peacefully departed this life and slipped quietly into eternal life to be embraced by the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at Friendship Retirement Community. Henry was born to the late Monroe and Annie Thompson Manns of Martinsville, Va. on November 18, 1907. His sister, Bessie Manns Wright preceded him in death, along with his half brother, William Henry; and half sisters, Annie Manns Johnson, and another sister passing at six months of age. He attended Bluefield Public Schools before relocating to Roanoke, Va. where he met and married Mabel Elizabeth Hale. They were blessed with three devoted children, Henry Jr. (Sonny), Donald, and Brenda. He was a member of the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church and formally served as a member of the Trustee Board. He belonged to the Allegany Dunbar Masonic Lodge #109. Additionally, he was a member of the Entre Nous and So-Journers Social Clubs. He was predeceased by his wife, Mabel and two children, Donald and Brenda. Those left to cherish his memory include a devoted son, Henry C. (Shirley) Manns, Jr. of Roanoke; grandchildren, Valerie (George) Cooper, Fort Washington, Md., Wanda (Charles) Crenshaw of Richmond, Donald W. Manns, Jr. of Roanoke, and Deborah (Marvin) Freeman of Blue Ridge; great-grandchildren, Antonio, Temeca, Donald III, Tanea, Morgan, Felicia, Tarikh, Joi, Derrick and Serena; brother, Lacy Manns of Decatur, Ga.; sister-in-law, Edna B. Hale of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Linda G. Manns of Roanoke; nieces and nephews, Geraldine (Reginald) Davis, Alfred Nance, Spencer Nance, Carlyle Hale, Renee Hale Summers, Charles Manns, William Manns, Monica Manns, Marcia M. Meekins, Felecia M. Edwards, and Gale M. Moore; one great-great grandson; and a host of cousins, great-nieces, greatnephews, and devoted friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Cedric Malone officiating. The interment will be in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service. Friends may call Friday afternoon, September 28, 2007 for viewing at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Hamlar-Curtis.com.