Milford Earl Maness, 92, passed away Friday, July 10, 2020 at the Ellery Arbor Memorial Care Center in Colleyville, TX. He was born on June 5, 1928, along with his twin sister Mildred Pearl, to Floyd and Dollie Maness. He enjoyed growing up on the farm with his family. He graduated high school and married the love of his life Vera Aileen Lambert on April 17, 1948. They worked together for James and Opal Mitchell at their clothing manufacturing plant in Rienzi, Mississippi. Mr. Mitchell was Milford’s mentor and taught him all about running a manufacturing plant.
Milford was in the Army, stationed in Germany from 1952 to 1954. He returned home, and he and Aileen had Regina Kaye on October 30, 1954. He was an amazing Dad and Uncle. He loved Kaye and he adored all his nieces and nephews.
In 1961, he, Aileen, and Kaye moved to Hartsville, Tennessee where he and Aileen worked for Trousdale Manufacturing and later for Broadloom Manufacturing Company. He loved people and his greatest joy was to run a company that created a wonderful work environment for its employees. Milford was a member of the Hartsville United Methodist Church.
He and Aileen later retired to Leoma, Tennessee where they returned to farming life which brought them both great joy. They enjoyed their wonderful neighbors and entertained family frequently at their cabin on Sugar Creek lovingly named “Happy Hollow”. They were both members of Antioch United Methodist Church. When he was older, Milford had several wonderful ladies who helped him at his home.
Milford moved to Texas with his daughter Kaye in June of 2019. He continued to enjoy life at Kaye’s house loving all his helpers who came to stay with him. He also loved living at Ellery Arbor Memory Care Center where he loved all his neighbors and nurses.
Milford loved people, and he tried to leave everyone he met with a smile. He was deeply loved by friends and family.
He is survived by one brother, Bill Maness of Corinth, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Verda Pullman of Corinth, Mississippi; one brother-in-law, Ray Lambert (Suzanne) of Corinth, Mississippi; one daughter, Kaye Gumm (Steve) of Colleyville, Texas; and many precious nieces and nephews and friends.
He is preceded to heaven by his loving parents, Floyd and Dollie Maness; parents-in-laws, Wiley and Alice Lambert; his precious wife, Aileen Lambert Maness, one brother, J.W. Maness (Artibelle); two sisters, Bernice Pace (Ray), Mildred Morgan (Avis Brimmingham); one brother, Hugh Maness (Willie Etta); three sister-in-laws, Barbara Maness, Linda Lambert, and Faye Dailey; one brother-in-law, Charles Lambert; and two nephews, Lyn Smith and Brian Maness.
A Celebration of Life Graveside Service will be at 3:00 P.M. Friday, July 17, 2020, at Love Joy Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Cody Stephens officiating. Services are under the direction of McMillan Funeral Home.
Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com.
