Dennis Manning Obituary

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford
Sgt. Dennis Dwaine Manning, 76, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Mississippi. Visitation will be Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home (601 Commerce Pkwy., Oxford, MS 38655). A memorial service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m., also at Coleman Funeral Home. Bro. Jim Pinkerton will officiate. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of arrangements.
Sgt. Manning was born on July 22, 1948, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. After graduating high school, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he proudly served his country in the Vietnam War. Throughout his honorable service, he received a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, an Expert Badge with 1 Machinegun Bar, a Sharpshooter badge with an Auto Rifle Badge, a Sharpshooter Badge with a Rifle Bar, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. After being injured, Sgt. Manning returned home and was discharged from the military. He then spent most of his working life, dedicated to the United States Postal Service as a Computer Programmer. He was also an incredibly hard worker and truly gave his all to every task placed in front of him.
Sgt. Manning had a great love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, and was known to be a "master piddler." He also had a love for automobiles and working on them in his free time with his friends in the community who knew him as "Papa Smurf." He was known to be a man of many talents, and he seemed to know a little bit of just about anything. If Sgt. Manning was not staying busy, he enjoyed getting away and playing golf. He was also a huge Tennessee Vols and New York Yankees fan. However, Sgt. Manning loved nothing more than sitting on the porch, watching their hummingbirds with the love of his life, his late wife of 44 years, Diana Manning. He touched so many lives throughout the years, and he will truly be missed by all who know him.
Sgt. Manning is survived by his daughters, Amy Manning of Memphis, TN, Renea (Tim) Huffman of Waterford, MS, and Leigh Ann (Tony) Manuel of Como, MS; his son, Dennis Manning, Jr. of Memphis; seven grandchildren, TSgt. Dalton Cooper of Wichita, KS, Jordin Manuel of Potts Camp, MS, Gracie Manning of Memphis, Anthony Manuel of Potts Camp, Jack Manning of Memphis, Sara Beth Huffman of Harmontown, MS, and Julia Manuel of Potts Camp; three great-grandchildren, Ensley Cooper, Colton Cooper, and Bodhi Cooper, all of Wichita; and a host of extended family members.
Sgt. Manning was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Diana Manning; and his parents, Bill Hawkins and Viola Hawkins.
Donations and memorials in honor of Sgt. Dennis Manning may be made to K9s for Warriors (www.donate.k9sforwarriors.org).
Online condolences may be left on his Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhomeox.com.