Milton Maness Obituary

Lt. Col. Milton "Milt" Maness (Ret.) SPARTANBURG, SC - Milt Maness, 102, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at his home, a victim of COVID-19. We lost a stalwart member of the Greatest Generation: born and reared in the Victor Mill community of Greer; a scholarship athlete at Wofford College; defender of his nation as a B-29 bomber pilot flying sorties over Japan from Guam; a Christian and member of First Baptist Spartanburg for more than 75 years; a father to five in Duncan Park; a businessman and entrepreneur; a salesman. He kept his mind sharp with daily rounds of "Words with Friends" and the Herald Journal's "Cryptoquote". Milt was the widower of Jo' Ellen (Reed) Maness, whom he met at Limestone College, and the son of the late Jesse and Edna Brown Maness of Greer. Survivors are: sons, Milton Brown "Binky" Maness Jr. (Eileen) of Burnsville, NC, Mark Reed Maness of the home, daughters, Melinda M. Gray (Clifford "Chip") of Greenville, Molly Jo' Maness Horton (Mike Small) of W. Columbia, and Mia Lauren Maness of Charleston, two special sisters-in-law, Patsy Reed Turner of W. Columbia and Mattie "Midget" Reed Turner of Hopkins, grandchildren, Amy (Trey) Campbell of Charleston, Elizabeth "Beth" Gallant of Greenville, Ben Gray of Greenville, Andrew "Drew" Maness of Summerville, Laurel Wade (Scott Steele) of Union, Tamara Lifrage of Kingstree, Hannah Logan (Ron Logan) of San Diego, CA, Lexie (Paul) McCall of Spartanburg, Brian (Katie) Horton of Charleston, and Jeffrey Horton (Becca Ward) of Charleston. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; and a beloved friend, Margie Johnson of Spartanburg. He was pre-deceased by a granddaughter, Hayley Maness Fust. Milt was a standout athlete at Greer High School and Wofford College, where he earned letters in all four sports. He was the last Wofford athlete to earn 14 letters, three each for football and basketball (freshmen were not eligible to play varsity in those sports), and four letters each in baseball and track-and-field. Among his other sports achievements, he was a scout for the Boston Red Sox and discovered Jim Rice, who played for Boston. He rejected a minor league baseball contract when he returned from the Army Air Corps in 1946 because he didn't feel it would adequately support his family. Instead, he joined Crutchfield's Sporting Goods as a salesman, and then began his own sporting goods store, Maness Sporting Goods. For many years he was a manufacturer's rep selling educational supplies to schools throughout South Carolina. When he was 72, he helped found Spartan Alarm, which he later sold. He joined the Army after he left Wofford and earned a spot in the Army Air Corps. He flew bombing raids over Japan from Guam. He was later in the Air Force Reserves, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was the "Voice of the Spartanburg High School Vikings" football team as public address announcer for 46 years, ending in 2007. A supportive father, he helped son, Binky, found a youth basketball squad, The Junior Trotters, which entertained at halftime shows from Rochester, NY to Florida for many Atlantic Coast Conference and SEC schools and tournaments. Along with his late friend, Bob Tallant, he sponsored and coached Pony League teams in Spartanburg for a dozen years. He and Jo' were members of First Baptist Spartanburg since making their home here in 1946. He was a member of the Early Fellowship Class at First Baptist. He was a member of Downtown Sertoma for many years. A memorial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Spartanburg, 250 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Special thanks to Dr. Lee Taylor, his nurse Ginger Ivey, and his team at Agape Care. An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston