Cecil Edward Mannis, Sr.

Cecil Edward Mannis, Sr., age 89, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2022 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center with his family by his side. He proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be remembered as a kind and strong man who always greeted others with a smile. He never met a stranger. He just simply loved people. He spent his 89 years on earth serving God and telling others about the mansion awaiting him in Heaven. He was a man of unwavering faith and though his presence upon this earth will be deeply missed, he is surely Heaven’s gain. 

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Gladys Mannis; loving wife of 28 years, Connie Mannis; brother, Bill Mannis and sister, Mildred Keith.  He is survived by his devoted wife of 16 years, Kathryn Mannis; his children, Jan Rector (Jim), Eddie Mannis (Blake), Robby Mannis (Kevin), Leanne Alleman (Keith); step-children, Scott Kirby, Tim Kirby (Tina); grandchildren, Crissy Thurman (Jason), Misty Lyons (Lorie), Aaron Rector (Tara), Jason Rector (Jennifer), Ansley and Carter Beard and Cooper and Shepherd Alleman; great-grandchildren, Caleb Thurman, Calen and Evan Burkhart, Ashley and Jamie Rector and Andrew and Vivienne Rector; sister, Annie Allison; brother, Ray Mannis; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. 

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 17, 2022 at Olivet Baptist Church, 4701 Pleasant Ridge Road, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with funeral service to immediately follow. Rev. Robert Holt will be officiating. Family and friends will meet on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Lynnhurst Cemetery, 2300 Adair Drive, for a 1:00 p.m. graveside service with full military honors provided by East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard.

Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Mannis family and invites you to view and sign the online registry.

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