Arthur Ray Manning

Arthur Ray Manning ,age 82, of Speed, NC died peacefully June 12. 2021 at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Nash County on March 20, 1939 to the late Eli and Emma Burgess Manning.

He was a hardworking farmer all his life. As a young man, he was a long distance truck driver and also worked at Anaconda Wire and Cable to supplement his income. Ray and Alva owned and operated Manning's Store in Speed for a little over 27 years. 

He is survived by his wife, Alva Sessoms Manning; daughters, Carolyn M. Walston (Claude), Theresa M. Johnson (Charlie), and Javotte M. Hathaway (J.S.) and his very good friend that he considered a daughter, Debbie Turner; four grandchildren, Joe Walston (Nicole), Casey W. Dabney (Welton), Logan Hathaway (Amelia), and Callie Johnson (Keith Teel); sister-in-law, Donna W. Sessoms (wife of the late Frank Sessoms) their sons, Brian (Renee) and Mark (Ashley) and their children are also held close to his heart; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Jacob Teel, Kaden, Madison, Kylie Walston, Charlie Grace, Presley Mae Dabney, Cameron, MacKenzie, Payton Hathaway, Gage, Case and Wrenn Sessoms.

Ray is also survived by sisters, Odell Coggins, Juanita Burnette, Betty Butler and Patsy Pope aka Little Sis.

Ray was one of ten children, so there are too many nieces and nephews to name, but he loved and was loved by all of them.

A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 2 PM in the Chapel of Carlisle Funeral Home with the interment following in the Edgecombe Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends and family Monday, June 14, 2021 from the hours of 6 PM until 9 PM and other times at his home.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church in Speed, c/o Terri Thomas, 1264 Rogister Road, Tarboro, NC 27886 or Grace Episcopal Church in Lawrence, c/o Karen Johnson, 77 Bass Lane, Tarboro, NC 27886.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ames, her staff, and the Kindred Hospice staff for their great care of our loved one.

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