Manuel Jose Soto

Manuel Jose Soto, 85, of Greenville, SC, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. A funeral mass will be celebrated at noon Monday, Dec. 5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenville. His most abiding love was his wife of 58 years, Maria Elena Soto Palacio. Together they nurtured a family of seven children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Born in Medellin, Colombia on March 12, 1931, Manuel Jose was passionate about soccer all his life, vying as a young man for a spot on his beloved Colombia’s national team until a clash with a player during a goal kick (he made it) ended in a broken leg and ended that dream. His charm and joy for life never diminished, always making sure his family knew his values of faith and family -- and never failing to ham it up at family gatherings with a song, a dance or a speech.

Hard work also was his legacy. He worked in textile mills for almost 50 years, sacrificing all that was familiar and home at the age of 40 to leap continents and move to the United States to provide new opportunities for his children.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his children: Miguel Angel Soto (Dorelby); Jose Soto (Christine); Alberto Soto (Gloria); Marta Matthews (Curt); Olga Bannister (Jeff); Lucy Soto (Stephen Macauley); Elizabeth Conway (David); his grandchildren: Fernando, Andrea, Guy Joseph; Justen, Steven, Stefanie, Diego Reese, Katherine, Michael, Lucas, Sofia, Joseph and Gabriela; and his great-grandchildren: Taryn and Daniel.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Anthony of Padua’s Food Pantry: 307 Gower Street, Greenville, SC 29611

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Greenville, SC.