Gilbert Ray Maness

Gilbert Ray Maness, age 86, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Tennessee State Veterans Home in Humboldt, Tennessee. He was born February 28, 1938, in Chester County, Tennessee, to William Emerson Maness and Virgie Elizabeth Holloway Maness. His family relocated to Madison County when he was a young boy. When Gil was seven years old, his father was killed during an explosion at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant where he worked during World War II.

Gil married Sadie Lavell Reeves on July 7, 1955, in Alcorn County, Mississippi. After 68 years of marriage, Lavell preceded him in death on February 3, 2024. They were survived by daughters, Debbie Maness Bennett (Darryl) and Donna Maness Cousins (Mark); grandchildren, Chris Romeo (Bree), Eric Romeo (Randa), Greg Romeo (Tara), Heather Evans, Kori Evans Deller (Scott), Brandon Sterner (Jamie), and Tyler Maness (Libby); and eleven great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife; parents; son, Stephen Gilbert Maness; sister, Rachel Maness Haney (Hardy); and brother, Joe Neal Maness (Jewell).

After serving in the US Air Force, Gil continued to work with the military in the aerospace industry, including Link, AAI, Hughes, and Rediffusion. He was the vice president of marketing for Rediffusion when he retired in 1991 and moved back to Jackson where he opened an Ace Hardware store for seven years before final retirement. His career included many international trips and relocated his family to several locations in the United States including Savannah, Georgia; Caribou, Maine; Dayton, Ohio; Binghamton, New York; Daytona Beach, Florida; New Freedom, Pennsylvania; Arlington, Texas; and Jackson, Tennessee. Gil was a loving, kind and selfless husband, father and papa, and an amazing caregiver to his wife, Lavell, for many years.

Funeral services will be held at 12 pm Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home at 403 E Baltimore Street in Jackson  with Alan Malone officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon before the service. A military service and interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. in the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/270336888/gilbert-ray-maness