Leonard Duette Manning

Leonard is survived by his daughter, Pamela Manning of California, step-son Edward Alan (Ruth) Jaffre, step-daughter Carol Martin (Niels) Hansen of Charlotte, grandson Paul White of Florida, granddaughter Morgana Manning of California, step-grandson Chace Martin of Charlotte, step-granddaughter Alana Killman (Don) Belch of Charlotte, step-grandson Clint Brion (Barbara) Jaffre of Charlotte and step-granddaughter Shannon Jaffre Payne of Concord. Leonard is also survived by great grandchildren Anthony, Angela, Colt, Alexis, Jesse, Blake, Matthew, Alisha, Sarah, Kennedy and Lance.

He is preceded in death by his father Cyrus Hilliard Manning of Georgia, mother Bessie Worley Manning of Georgia, wife Helen Driggers Jaffre Manning of Charlotte, daughter Sharla Manning, brother Troy Hilliard Manning of Georgia and faithful friends; L.B., Tracy and Laddie. Some of his most special and beloved friends; Betty, Nita Jo, Judy, Jack, Christine and George.

Leonard was born in Georgia, grew up in the Rome, Georgia area in a hardworking rural community. He quickly learned that you worked hard for what you wanted. Even at age 90, he would climb ladders to clean the gutters and was always willing to help anyone in need. If you called and asked for a little help whenever he had the time, you would usually find him knocking on your door within 30 minutes. He did not believe in procrastination. Leonard worked for decades in the steel industry, quickly moving into supervisory and management positions. During this time he lived and worked in Atlanta, Orlando and Charlotte. He found in Charlotte, the home he always wanted and lived here for more than 50 years.

Never met anyone who did not take an immediate liking to Leonard and he enjoyed so much in life. Enjoyed all sports, attending PGA Tournaments, Gun and Knife Shows, racing events, car shows, fishing, attending to his vegetable garden, making fig preserves and speeding from the dock of his river cabin. Too, he loved travel and during his life he visited nearly every state in the country. Much of these activities sometime combined with a little “Jack Daniels’. Friends and family usually called him “PaPa.”

Leonard could fix just about anything, he especially enjoyed working and trading “old time radio sets”. He was a voracious reader, loved American History, always learning. Never missed a birthday, would always send a real and carefully selected Birthday Card (not a Facebook Post) usually a little early.

He will be missed by many but now will be greeted by those that preceded. Look forward to seeing him again.

The family would like to thank Colin Clode, Administrator, Dr. Danny Honeycutt, Medical Director, Nurse Malaya and all the staff at Sardis Oaks Nursing Center for their loving support and care. Leonard loved them all and especially enjoyed the many early morning smiles and well wishes.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donation to your selected Humane Society Organization.