Rev. Kenneth Irvin Manning, of Knoxville TN., passed from this life into his heavenly reward on August 5, 2016. He was born November 27, 1935, in Clinton, TN to George Paul and Edith Odell Dawn Manning. Kenneth was a graduate of Friendsville Quaker Academy where he was a star basketball player, a graduate of God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, earning his Bachelor of Religious Education., and a graduate of Pacific Western University Evangelical College and Seminary, earning his Master of Arts in Religious Education. Kenneth was a retired minister, and faithful pastor, in the Wesleyan Church and retired from the Ivorydale Branch of Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kenneth was also commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 56 years, Hattie Washburn Manning, daughter Cheri (Rick) Christman of Jackson, Ohio, daughter Kim (Steve) Steiner of Cleveland, Tennessee, grandchildren Sgt. Ricky (Bonnie) Christman, Jr. of Jackson, Ohio, Julia (Reece) Sorley of Circleville, Ohio, Rev. Sgt. Andrew (Ashley) Christman of Jackson, Ohio, Michael Hamilton of Cleveland, Tennessee, Christy Hamilton of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Jeremiah Hamilton of Cleveland, Tennessee, along with 9 great grandchildren, all of Jackson and Circleville, Ohio.

In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by one brother, John Paul "JP" Manning, Glenna Hensley, Marla Vowell, Erma Coffey, Lulan Fanjoy, Judith Young, Beverly Grimm and Vicki Hooker along with many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Kenneth is preceded in death by one sister, Lila Hobbs, and a brother, Lloyd Manning.

One of Pastor Kenneth's favorite passages of scripture is found in Revelation 3, verse 20, where it reads, " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (KJV)

The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM on Monday, August 8th , at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. Funeral service celebrating Kenneth's life will be Tuesday, August 9th , at the First Wesleyan Church at 11:00 AM with Dr. Rick Christman and Rev Andrew Christman officiating. Graveside service will follow at Norris Memorial Gardens. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.holleygamble.com