Donald Wayne Manning, 78, of Jesup, Ga. passed away in the Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit on Monday, November 25, 2024.  The Wayne County native was a Christian and a U.S. Army Veteran having served as a paratrooper in the Vietnam war and a member of the 101st Airborne out of Ft. Bragg.  Donald also was a former mechanic and enjoyed anything outdoors.  He adored animals and wanted to adopt all of them.  His wives, Ruthie Crews Manning and Donna Manning preceded him in death along with daughters, Sabrina Manning and Dorothy Weathers and son, Ray Jones; parents, Willie Houston and Evelyn Manning; sister, Sandra Sellers; brothers, Willie "Bill" Houston, Jr., Doyle and Coyle Manning; grandson, Jason Purvis and granddaughter, Lisa Purvis.

Survivors are his daughters, Sherry Ann (Robert) Willis and Selena Jones; sons, Don (Monica) Manning and John Gordon Manning; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; sisters, Shirley (Darryl) Droze and Jane Miller; a very special friend, Elwanda Johnson Hopkins.

Graveside funeral services will be 11 AM Tuesday, November 26, 2024 in Manningtown Cemetery with his son, Rev. Don Manning officiating. Active pallbearers will be his family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Help at Home and Altamaha Home Care staffs, Marquita Holsey and Angela Brewer.

Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 AM Tuesday at the funeral home.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.