Deacon Manning Josey Jr., 66, loving and devoted husband of the Rev. Roberta C. Josey, was called by God to his eternal rest on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

The family will receive friends at the home Deacon Manning Josey Jr., 66, loving and devoted husband of the Rev. Roberta C. Josey, was called by God to his eternal rest on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born May 25, 1944, in Sumter County, he was the second son of Georgia Mae Black Josey and the late Manning Josey Sr. Manning accepted Christ at a young age and joined Trinity Baptist Church, where he was ordained as deacon. He loved the Lord and actively served in many areas of the church. He was superintendent of the church Sunday school and he taught Sunday school classes. He was a member of the senior choir and the male chorus. He later became a founder and charter member of New Fellowship Baptist Church. In 1995, he joined New Providence United Methodist Church with his wife. At New Providence, he was a lay speaker and a member of the United Methodist Men. He was a man of faith and never passed up an opportunity to be a witness for the Lord.

He was a 1962 graduate of Lincoln High School and attended Central Carolina Technical College. He was employed by Sumter Dairies at a young age. He then worked at Campbell Soup, where he became a supervisor. He later became employed at Gold Kist until his retirement. After his retirement, he was employed at Sumter School District 2 for a short time. He had attended the Sumter Senior Center for the past two years.

Manning gave a lifetime of love and support to his children, grandchildren, family and friends. He will live on through the many lives he touched. He adored and cherished his grandchildren and included each one of them in his recent 25th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows. He also had a special place in his heart for his special friends, his dogs: Isabelle, Buster, Rex and Frederick.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories: his mother, Georgia Mae Black Josey; his beloved wife, his princess and sweetheart of 25 years, the Rev. Roberta C. Josey of the home; three sons, Manning Brown Jr. (Coriena) of Sumter, Bernard Josey of Spartanburg and William Paul Brown of New York, N.Y.; three daughters, Sharon (Reuben) Lawrence and Linda (Roger) Knowles, both of Marietta, Ga., and Debra Ann Josey of Sumter; six brothers, David (Phyllis) Josey of Teaneck, N.J., Willie Leroy (Carmen) Joseph of Portsmouth, Ohio, Leon (Nancy) Josey of Dorchester, Mass., and Ted E. Josey and Darrell J. (Belinda) Josey, both of Sumter; two sisters, Fabeola Marie Josey of Englewood, N.J., and Cynthia A. Josey of Sumter; nine grandchildren; four brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and many other loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Manning Josey Sr.; his daughter, Sandra Ann Josey; maternal grandparents, Albert Black and Carrie Black Green; paternal grandparents, Jeff Josey and Beulah Jenkins Josey; and his previous wife, Ollie Mae Maple Josey.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter, with the Rev. Lillian H. Washington officiating, the Rev. Anna G. Miller, eulogist, assisted by the Rev. Kenneth N. Carter, the Rev. James Kevin Gorry, the Rev. Blondell Miller, the Rev. Dale E. Edwards, the Rev. Abraham Dixon and the Rev. Demetria Brooks.

The family will receive friends at the home Deacon Manning Josey Jr., 66, loving and devoted husband of the Rev. Roberta C. Josey, was called by God to his eternal rest on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.