Thurman Ray Maness

THURMAN RAY ‘T.R.’ MANESSNiceville, FL: Thurman Ray Maness, age 78, died December 29, 2008 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. Mr. Maness was born and reared in Chester County, the son of the late Riley Edward and Lillian Ethel Jones Maness. He attended Chester County Schools and graduated from Chester County High School in 1948. In 1951 he was married to Jane Saxton and they made their home in several places including Clinton, Maryland for 28 years but they always considered Niceville, FL as their home. Mr. Maness had a very prestigious career in the United States Air Force and retired Chief Master Sergeant, the highest noncommissioned rank in the Air Force.He was an avid gardener and had an abiding love for his family, community, country, and church. He was a member of the Rocky Bayou Baptist Church in Niceville, FL.He is survived by a son; Gary Maness of Washington, DC and a daughter, Patti Maness of Dania Beach, FL He was preceded in death by his wife; Jane Saxton Maness in 1999; one brother, Deward Maness; and four sisters, Bobby Jo Wilson, Hazel Plunk, Nell Ethridge and Ruth Robinson.