G. Richard Manley, age 85, passed away Monday, May 25 at his home south of Warsaw. All of his family had just been there to say goodbye. After everyone left, Marilyn laid down with him to rest and hold his hand, and at 4:35 p.m., he just stopped breathing and changed his address to Hallelujah Square.
He was born on January 22, 1941 in Carthage, Missouri, the son of Lee and Irene (Shelton) Manley. He graduated from Jasper High School, Jasper, Missouri.
He met and fell in love with Carolyn Chapman. They were married on April 22, 1961 at Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They were blessed with 40 years of marriage, and two children, Debra and Bill.
Richard was saved in March 1968 and surrendered his life to become a pastor. He pastored several churches; Sheldon Baptist, Milo Baptist Church, Main Street Baptist Church in Greenfield, Missouri. He pastored Joplin Heights Baptist Church, where he retired after 23 years. He then moved to Warsaw, joined Hopewell Baptist Church and became an interim pastor for a year.
Richard and Carolyn worked very hard to get their education at Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri while raising two small children.
Richard was blessed to find love a second time, when he re-connected with his grade school sweetheart. He and Marilyn Preston were married on March 8, 2003. They had twenty three wonderful years together. They enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Jamaica, Caribbean Cruise, and several bus trips. The last trip they took was in 2022, in their RV to Colorado, traveling with a group of fourteen children and grandchildren. What a fun trip!
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn; granddaughter, Kayla Manley; stepdaughter, Karla Shelton; brothers, L.H. Manley and Gene Manley; sister, Doris Robinson.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn; daughter, Debra Younger and husband Roger; son, Bill Manley and wife Tamblyn; four grandchildren, Bryan Harris and wife Chee, Traci Harris, Ciera Manley, and Bella Manley; three stepchildren, Brad Preston, Brandon Preston and wife Nikki, Darla Nelson and husband Phil; ten step grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; sister Lucille Kahl, who is 100 years old.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial be given in Richard’s name to Hopewell Baptist Church.
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