Matthew Jonathan Manning

Matthew Jonathan Manning was born to Sarah Navada Matthews and Albert Wilson Manning on May 8, 1958 in Montgomery, Alabama. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Whitney Danielle Manning Hammock (Brandon) and precious grandchildren, Skye, Carter and Cole Hammock of Columbus, Georgia; siblings Mary Ellen Manning of Montgomery, Alabama and Phillip Mark Manning (Whitney) of Big Canoe, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as, a large spiritual family of sisters and brothers. Matt passed away peacefully on August 29, 2023 surrounded by his daughter, siblings and other close family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of 40 years, Clara Sue Deal Manning.

He studied the Bible with his parents while attending the Montgomery South Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, willingly dedicated himself to Jehovah God and symbolized his dedication by water baptism on July 27, 1973.

Matt attended and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1976. While in high school he worked for Piknik Products Co. Inc., and later formed the Tire Modification Service of Alabama with his brother, Mark. After a short move to Indianapolis, Indiana where he worked for Royal Food Products Inc., he moved back to Montgomery where he met and fell in love with his dear Clara while attending a Circuit Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They soon married on December 2, 1978. While in Columbus Matt worked at Southern Foods. Later, he and Clara moved to Fitzgerald, Georgia where he worked for Lowell Packing Co.

On July 22, 1987 they had their only daughter, Whitney. He was a dedicated husband, father and “poppy” who treasured his love for and relationship with his family.

Matt moved the family back to Columbus to again work with his brother, Mark, as COO of Medical Management Services, Inc. from April 1989 until present.

He loved Jehovah and served in whatever capacity he could. Matt especially enjoyed his assignments with the Regional Building Committee to help build new kingdom and convention halls. He often worked with the framing crew, even though he was afraid of heights. He cultivated and displayed the fruitage of the spirit (Galatians 5:22) so that he was approachable by all, as well as, gentle and patient with all. To know him was to love him. All he met would liken him to a loveable teddy bear or gentle giant. Matt attended the River Road Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and served as a Ministerial Servant until his death.

Having balance in life was important to him. He loved sports and enjoyed watching and going to sporting events with his family. He enjoyed playing golf and was a huge Alabama Roll Tide fan, followed by being a steadfast, but hapless fan of the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons. Best of all he never said no to going on a good cruise, even during hurricane season.

Matt will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him, and we look forward to welcoming him back in the New System of Things.

A Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Veteran’s Parkway in Columbus, Georgia with Cyrus Luttrella officiating. The link to join the Zoom Meeting is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81855274737?pwd=Qkx4OFVUSHQ0VGFYeXRuWkhZdkUrUT09

Meeting ID: 818 5527 4737

Passcode: 54321

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (online donations www.jw.org) or charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Manning family.