William Joseph "Sam" Manning

William Manning Obituary

October 11, 1951 - February 23, 2011

The Rev. William Joseph "Sam" Manning, 59, of Normangee, Texas passed from this life surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Saturday, February 26, in the Normangee Middle School Gymnasium with burial to follow in the First United Pentecostal Church Cemetery in Normangee. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 25, in the First United Pentecostal Church.

Sam was born October 11, 1951 in Bryan to L.O. and Alma Ruth (Burt) Manning. In 1982 he married the love of his life Gay Jordan. Brother Sam loved his family and was devoted to his children and grandchildren. The family took many trips and vacations together. They loved water-skiing and snow skiing and he most loved going for motorcycle rides with his wife Gay. He was a caring and dedicated Pastor who greatly loved his church family and often reached out to the needs of the people in the community.

He was preceded in death by his father; two sisters; two nieces; one great niece; one brother-in-law; and one sister-in-law.

He is survived by his wife, Gay Manning of Normangee; two sons and a daughter-in-law, William Manning, and Sam Bryant and Chelsea Manning of Normangee; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cassie and Stephen Daywitt and, Ciara and Troy Vick, all of Normangee and Chelsey and Timothy Daywitt of Lufkin; mother, Ruth of Normangee; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark and Shelly Manning, and Clinton and Teresa Manning, all of Normangee; eight sisters and seven brothers-in-law, Pat and Joe Spikes of Normangee, Rebecca and Doug Utermark of College Station, Carolyn and Darrel Munsey and Virginia Manning all of Normangee, Sharon and Clifford Crenshaw of Bryan, Chan and Mike King of North Zulch, Ila and Don Newsom of Flynn, Esther and Jimmy Powell of Normangee; along with his mother in law, Gloria Jordan; and five grandchildren Haze, Nolan, Jace, Tia, and Paris.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First United Pentecostal Church Building Fund.

Thanks again from the family for coming today to celebrate the life of Rev. Sam Manning!!!!

Please sign and view the guestbook at, TrevinoSmithFuneralHome.com

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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Bryan-College Station Eagle from Feb. 26 to Feb. 27, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for William Manning

11 Entries

Nita Rice

March 27, 2011

I was saddened to learn of Bro. Sam's passing. I remember him as a kind & gentle man & his congregation seemed to love him greatly. The family is in my thoughts & prayers.

Irene Bridges

March 1, 2011

May God bless & comfort each of you during your time of loss and grief. Brother sam always had a smile and kindness to share with everyone. He will be deeply missed. Our love to your family.
Irene Brown Bridges

Lisa Bradshaw

February 27, 2011

My deepest sympathies to the entire family. I have not seen you in a while, but I remember what a blessing you were to our family. Thanks for all the memories.

Robert Slaughter

February 27, 2011

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Rex & Zeni Smith

February 27, 2011

Mark & Shelly,
We often think of you and miss seeing you. Today we are sending our sympathies to the Manning family and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you comfort at this time and may the memories of your brother sustain you in the days to come. God bless.

Eleanor Grays

February 27, 2011

Gay and Family,
My prayers are with you for the loss of your husband. May God bless you and your family.

Gary Dawkins

February 26, 2011

To paster sam manning and to all his family we love you and god bless you he was special to us and are family and he was a blessing to everyone from Bro. Gary and katy and Jana Dawkins
Normangee Texas god bless you we love u

February 26, 2011

My cousin, my brother in Christ, my friend, my support and encouragement, Sam was a man short in stature but tall in character and goodness. He never knew how much he meant to so many. I pray God will bless Sam's family and comfort all who have loved him and will forever miss him. God's speed Sam. I love you.

Mary Ruth Whitfield

February 26, 2011

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Joetta LaRue Vincent

February 26, 2011

My prayers and thoughts are with you all,Sam will be greatly missed.He was such a wonderful man to our family(Spikes)and was always there when we needed him.

Kal Hooper

February 26, 2011

Although it has been a long time since I last saw Sam, I remember him as a delightful person. It is sad to lose him and his sister, Paulette, who was also my classmate at Normangee in such a short time. Prayers to the family in your loss, but you can have solace in his place along side his Savior.

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