He was no saint and never professed to be, but in my rememberance, he was a good Daddy. He taught us right from wrong, honesty, integrity, and love. It may sound like a heavy load, and with 8 children and a wife to support, it was. How, I can't imagine, but somehow he managed. Though we were not rich by any means or well-off or even doing well, we always had just enough. Though I realize that my older sisters had it harder than I and that they helped with expenses as they left home to make their own way.

So the following pictures, not in any chronological order, and commentaries are my way of "Remembering Daddy" on Father's Day 1998.

Daddy relaxing at home February 1969

Daddy, Mother, and Ray Circa 1948

I chose the picture on the left because I saw daddy sitting in this chair many times relaxing after a long haul and likly as not, watching the NBC evening news.

On the Right, From Doris:
This picture was taken at Mamaw & Papaw's house on the Griggs place at the crossroads of Morgan Rd. and Hwy 113.

J.E. (EL) Maner Family - Circa 1948

Elmer (EL) Maner - Circa 1943

On the left, From Sylvia:
The family pictue of all of us at the Griggs place, circa - 1948, was taken in the grass on the side of the road, as I recall, just past the house toward the crossroads. An interesting highlight - Mother sewed every stitch of the clothing all of us children and herself were wearing. I don't think she attempted Daddy's shirts and pants.

On the Right, From Doris:
This picture is Daddy in 1943 at Johnny Rose's big house when Mamaw & Papaw lived there long before it was Johnny's house.

J.E. and Athey Rush Maner Family at "Rush Family Reunion" 1956

Although this picture is of the "Rush Family Reunion" Circa 1956, it shows daddy with his entire family in what I perceived as happier times on North Avenue in Villa Rica, GA.

Daddy and me at Maner Family reunion - Circa 1975

Daddy and his MAC Truck - Aug 1965 Banning Yarn Mills, Villa Rica, GA

At the "Maner Family Reunion" at Hunter Park, Douglasville, GA in 1975, I decided that I had better get a picture of myself with my Aunts, Uncles and Dad, just in case, because they were getting on up in age. It turns out I got a picture with 4 brothers and a sister. I regret that I don't have a picture of myself with Aunt Evie and Uncle Joe. It isn't too late to get one with Aunt Evie but it is too late, unfortunately, to get one with Uncle Joe. The picture on the left is the one that I got with Dad at that reunion.

I had an opportunity to go on several trips with Daddy in his big red MAC truck. That thing was loud, noisy, smokey, and would shake your innerds out, but all one had to do is watch him at the controls of that thing and you could tell it was right where he wanted to be. It was on these trips that I learned that there was some "Rock-N-Roll" records (songs) that he liked. One that he would especially turn the volume up on was "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. On other trips in the semi or at other times at home or maybe just driving up to Haralson County to visit his foster parents, Mote and Millard Brown, he would turn-up the volume on such songs as "Rag Doll" by the Four Seasons.

Hey Jude by The Beatles Click the Start control to play this selection.

Rag Doll by The Four Seasons Click the Start control to play this selection.

Put Your Hand in the Hand Click the Pause control to stop this selection.

El Maner

John Maner circa 1979

J.E. Maner Family circa 1959

Up home, as Daddy referred to Haralson County, they called him El as did all his nieces and nephews, "Uncle El", but in Villa Rica and elsewhere he was known either by J.E. Maner or John Maner.

The picture on the right again shows all 8 children plus a son-in-law, Watt Nickels, with Dad and its obvious that it is cold weather as we all have on our winter coats. I'm not sure of the date and I don't know where this picture was taken, but I'm sure my older siblings do.

Daddy visits Kingsport, TN April 1969

Daddy's 62nd Birthday Jan 22, 1981

Daddy enjoyed going to Kingsport to visit my sister. In the picture on the left entitled "Daddy visits Kingsport, TN" in April of 1969 he was caught by an ever vigilant camera person sitting on the back steps probably watching his Granddaughter playing in the back yard.

Three of my sisters posed with Dad at a party they gave him for his 62nd Birthday.
January 22, 1981 in Lithia Springs, Georgia

Daddy and Granddaughter Sharon (Liz) Nickels Fox

Daddy and Nephew Billy Manor

As stated above Daddy enjoyed going to Kingsport to visit. I'm not sure that it was as much the mountains that he enjoyed as much as it was his First Grandchild as this picture so well reflects.

Daddy was the force behind the few "Maner Family Reunions" that were held primarily in Hunter Park, Douglasville, GA. The picture on the right is a happy time for Daddy for he really loved the family get togethers.

There has not been a "Maner Family Reunion" since he died in 1987.

Daddy May 1969

Daddy & Jeff 1980

Shotgun

I almost didn't include the splice of a picture on the left. But after thinking about it I decided to. Because I can remember daddy sitting at the table eating buttered biscuits with jelly or his favorite, buttered biscuits with slices of cantaloupe.

In the middle is a very rare moment indeed. While visiting on one occasion daddy fed Jeffery lunch.

The 12 Gauge Full Choke Shotgun was passed down to Daddy from his Dad, Josephus Maner. Grandpa Seph died in 1925. A few days before Daddy died he passed the Shotgun on to my son Jeffery, daddy's only grandson carrying his name.

The only markings on the shotgun are "Bridge City". Click image for larger views

We don't have a picture of Grandpa Josephus Maner but we do have one of Granma Oda (Odie) Maner, Daddy's Mother. I've used it here, a very light scan of the negative, as the background for Daddy's page.

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I miss you Daddy


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