Paul was born, the first son of Robert Eddie Manners and Lillie Dowdy Manners, on December 28, 1918, in Dover, Stewart County, Tennessee. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vanderbilt University in 1942 with a B.A. in economics. He credited his attendance at Vanderbilt to the encouragement and financial assistance of his high school teacher, Lillian Bayer. In gratitude, he funded the Paul E. Manners-Lillian Bayer Scholarship at Vanderbilt, which gives preference to students from his county of birth, Stewart County, Tennessee.
Paul served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was the Supply Corp Officer on a destroyer, with the responsibility of stocking food and handling the payroll. During his tour of duty he cruised the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and went to four continents, North America, Europe, Africa and South America. His destroyer engaged in several battles in the Pacific with Japanese fighter planes. As the Supply Corp Officer he had no duties during battle itself and was allowed to sit with the Commander, a good friend and frequent checkers partner, while the Commander directed the battle operations. Paul began as an Ensign and was discharged as a Lt. Commander.
An employee of The First National Bank of Atlanta (later Wachovia Bank and Wells Fargo) from 1948-1979, he served as head of the Trust and Investment Department from 1963 to 1977. In his profession, he was a member of and served on various committees of the American Bankers Association and the Georgia Bankers Association (Trust Affairs Section President 1975-1976). After his retirement from the Bank, he founded his own investment advisory firm, Paul Manners and Associates, Inc., which is still in operation.
Paul served the State of Georgia for a total of 36 years as a Trustee of the Employees’ Retirement System (1960-1976) and as a Trustee of the Teachers’ Retirement System (1976-1996).
His greatest joy in his civic and business career came when he served for many years as a Trustee of Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children, Inc., now Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Chairman of the Board, 1982-1995). A 33rd degree Mason, Paul was awarded the Grand Cross of the Court of Honor, the highest individual award bestowed by the Supreme Council of the Masonry, the national organization of Masons, for his most exceptional and extraordinary services to the Hospital. He was active in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta (President, 1971), Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross (Chairman, 1970-1972), and Junior Achievement of Greater Atlanta (Board of Directors, 1972-78).
Paul was a member of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church where he was an Elder and Elder-Emeritus from 1950 until his death. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of The Presbyterian Foundation, Inc. and The Presbyterian Center, Inc.
Paul was a life member of Capital City Club. One of his greatest pleasures in his later years was Sunday dinner and drinks at the Country Club with his wife Joy and other family members.
In the past year Paul's health declined, and he appreciated, and his family wishes to thank, those who assisted in providing for his care: Helen L. Rice, R.N. of Caregivers Plus who managed his health care; Susan Boyette and the other caregivers of LivHome who attended Paul and Joy 24/7; and the staff of Lenbrook.
Paul is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sara Joyce Manners; his son, Neal Manners; his daughters-in-law, Linda W. Manners and Kella W. Barnett; his grandchildren, Meredith M. Levens (Jonathan), Robert C. Manners (Teena), Jefferson N. Manners, Paul E. Manners and Kelly L. Manners, and his great grandchildren, Laine M. Levens and Olivia C. Manners. He is also survived by his step-children, Charles Munroe (Mary), Kathy Hiller (Dan), and Thomas Munroe (Liz), and their six grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by his first wife of 27 years, Frances Neal Manners, and by his younger son, Philip E. Manners.
Paul was buried at a family gathering in Westview Cemetery between his first wife Frances and his younger son Philip. In keeping with the burial tradition of some older societies, Paul was buried with a few of his favorite things: two bottles of bourbon, a bag of Fritos, a checkerboard, a Vanderbilt button and pom-pom, glass artwork, nursery school artwork, a family videotape and numerous family pictures.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 16, at 2:00 PM at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, with the Reverend Dr. Jane Fahey officiating. In lieu of flowers, tribute donations may be made to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (www.choa.org/give), 1687 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, Attention: Kia Banks, or the charity of your choice (or in lieu of a donation, take your family out to dinner in memory of Paul).
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18