Paul Linville Manning

Rocky Mount -

Paul Linville Manning, age 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, January 24, 2026, at his home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Born on August 26, 1933, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Linville was the beloved son of Paul Henry and Lillian Meads Manning. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved best friend and wife of 70 years, Nancy Elliott Manning. Together they had three children: Deborah, Martha, and Elizabeth; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and cherished time with his grandchildren and great- grandchildren. They visited from as far away as Arizona, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia, and they treasured these precious moments with their Papaw. Linville loved gardening and was a master in the kitchen and at the grill.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Nancy, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nellie Ridge; grandson, Chad Manning Flynt; granddaughter, Caroline Elizabeth Zurawel; and great-granddaughter, Madison Manning Erath.     

He is survived by his devoted children, Debbie Davis (Bill), Martha Zurawel (Mark), and Elizabeth Erath (Michael); his sister, Paula Manning Ricketts; grandchildren, Geoff Flynt (Christy), Ryan Casada (Matt), Michael Zurawel (Summer), Mark Zurawel (Ili), Betsy Haymond (Miles), Matthew Erath (Christina), and Zachary Erath; and great- grandchildren, Jacob Flynt, Sam Casada, Charlie Casada, Grace Cameron-Erath, Adalynn Erath, James Zurawel, and Caroline Zurawel.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, January 31, at 11:30 a.m., at Rock Creek Baptist Church, 1238 Rock Creek Drive, Nashville, NC 27856, followed by a service to remember and celebrate Linville’s life at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to Hospice of Nash UNC Health, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Building 100, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Andrea Minchew, Glenda Wheeless and Brenda Winstead all who so generously gave their time and love to Linville.

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