John Eugene McManaway, III

Published 1:08 pm Monday, May 18, 2020

John Eugene McManaway, III

John Eugene McManaway, III, 89, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2020, at Florence Hand Nursing Home, LaGrange, after a long illness following a stroke. 

Mr. McManaway was born in Greenville, S.C. to J.E. McManaway, Jr. and Estelle Payne McManaway. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. During that time he and Betty married and had their first daughter, Debbie. He then returned home to continue his studies at Furman University, graduating with a B.S. in business administration. Mr. McManaway immediately took a job with Milliken and Co. where he worked his entire career of 37 years. 

His work took him and his family to Thomson, Georgia; Pendleton, South Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; and finally to LaGrange, in 1972 where he worked in various plants, retiring from the Duncan M. Stewart plant in 1994. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Sara Hudgins (Elwood), Jeanne Armitstead (Jimmy), and David McManaway (Judy).

Mr. McManaway loved to sing, singing bass in many Baptist church choirs over the years, including First Baptist Church on the Square for more than 30 years. 

He served as deacon there, as well as in several other churches, and was a member of Dr. Paul Baxter’s Sunday School Class. More recently he belonged to the First United Methodist Church of LaGrange where he was a member of the Andrew Visitation Team and also visited many shut-ins on his own. 

He delivered Meals on Wheels for 12 years.

John and Betty were blessed with 20 years of retirement, during which time he was able to enjoy his love of golf, boating and water skiing. In retirement he also continued to work at Callaway Gardens golf courses for 12 years. He had an immaculate yard in which not a weed was allowed to grow. 

John had God-given talent for mechanics, which he used to fix any and everything. 

He was known for his sense of humor and always had a new (old) joke in his back pocket to share with his bridge and golf friends.

Mr. McManaway is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty Iler McManaway; daughters, Debbie Rivers of Charlotte, North Carolina and Lee Lawrence of Kiawah Island, South Carolina; son, John IV (Lisa) of Alabaster, Alabama; grandsons, Carson Rivers, Will Lawrence (Nicole), and Matt Lawrence; and great granddaughters, Jordan McManaway and Kaitlin Richardson (Will). 

Because of the present pandemic the family will have a private service at this time. A celebration of his life may be held at a later date. 

The whole family will miss sharing this time with the extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial made to the Music Ministry of First United Methodist Church of LaGrange, 401 Broad Street, LaGrange, Georgia 30240 would be pleasing to John or a gift to another charitable organization.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, Gerogia 30240 (706) 884-8636