Robert D. Manning

Robert “Doug” Douglas Manning, 94, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2026, at his residence in Staunton.

He was born on September 3, 1932, in Old Hickory, Tennessee, to the late Carson L. and Ethel Marie Hardin Manning.

Doug followed in the footsteps of his father, Carson, who worked at the DuPont Old Hickory Plant in Tennessee. Doug later began his own career at the same facility while putting himself through college, eventually earning his degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He subsequently transferred to the DuPont plant in Martinsville, Virginia, where he met and married his wife, Jean. Following the birth of their first daughter, the couple relocated to Staunton, where they established their family home and Doug continued his career at DuPont in Waynesboro. Over the course of nearly thirty-seven years with the company, Doug held various positions before retiring as power plant supervisor at the Waynesboro facility.

Doug was deeply committed to his community and dedicated much of his life to public service. In 1988, Doug began serving on the Staunton City School Board. After serving in that office, in the 1990s he went on to serve on the Staunton City Council, as the city’s Vice Mayor. His commitment to serving others extended beyond civic leadership and into his faith, as he devoted ten years to serving as pastor of Cornerstone Ministries in Staunton.

Outside of his professional, civic, and ministerial responsibilities, Doug enjoyed traveling by rail and particularly loved taking train excursions. He was also an avid New York Yankees fan. Throughout his life, Doug demonstrated a strong work ethic, a dedication to his faith, and a genuine commitment to the community he proudly called home.

He is survived by his daughters, Catherine Lynn Manning, Debra Kaye Manning McFarland and her husband, Todd, and Joanna Lea Manning Bell; his grandchildren, Brian Blake (Brittany), Amanda Blake, Jackson Bell, Nicholas Bell, Nathaniel Bradley, Doug Bradley (Lauren), and Amy Shelley (Brad); nine, great-grandchildren; and his sister, Doris Manning Harvey and her husband, George.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Delores Wilson Manning; his daughter, Jean Elizabeth Manning Spath; his brothers, Carson L. Manning, Jr., Charles Ray Manning, and Thomas Edward Manning; and his sister, Lois Faye Manning.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor Debbie Conover officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 PM.

Inurnment in Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee will take place at a later date.

Henry Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.