Joseph Eugene "Gene" McManus

MARTINEZ, Ga. - Mr. Joseph Eugene Gene McManus, 62, of Martinez, GA, passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Lexington Medical Center, Lexington, SC. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 2pm at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will follow in Bellevue Memorial Gardens. Born in Edgefield, SC, he was the son of the late Willie McManus and Fannie Mae Blocker McManus. He moved from the Batesburg area to Martinez in 1999. He served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War, where he received various medals and a Purple Heart. Gene loved to work in his roses and garden. He enjoyed fishing, working in his wood shop, on vehicles, and talking with his neighbors. He knew what was happening in the neighborhood. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Monzelle Brady McManus, children, Kelli McManus, Aiken, SC; Ronald McManus, Leesville, SC; Kimberly McManus, Bowie, MD; Kathy McManus, Leesville, SC; Christopher L. Leaphart, Leesville, SC; Stephanie (Herschel) Pitts, Grovetown; Carl Hoffa, Atlanta; Jeanette (Ahmed) Sakar, Grovetown; Reese (Renata) Hoffa, Athens, GA; Cari Gutierrez, Augusta; Chris Hoffa, Martinez; sisters, Virginia Ginga (Donald) Cook, North Augusta, SC; Mahalia Marshall ,Saluda, SC; Bessie Smith, Sandra Lesaythe, both of Aiken, SC; Brenda Wright, Atlanta; Lois Williams, Johnston, SC; brothers, George (Heniretta) McManus, Johnston, SC; Willie McManus Columbia, SC; Luther Ross, Detroit, MI; seven grandchildren, numerous beloved nieces, nephews and his precious Chihuahuas, Baxter and Peetey.The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from 6-9pm at Elliott Sons Funeral Home, Columbia Road Chapel with a wake service at 8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN, 38105, or the Golden Harvest Food Bank, 3310 Commerce Drive, Augusta, GA, 30909.