Lavern "Mac" Manchester

June 13, 1924 - June 29, 2016

Lavern "Mac" Manchester, aged 92, of Rector, AR passed from this life on June 29th at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro,AR. "Mac" as he was known by all who knew him was born June 13, 1924 in Leonard, AR to the late H.M. Manchester and Clara (Pounds) Manchester. Mac was a lifelong and devoted citizen of Rector. He was proceeded in death his parents H.M. and Clara (Pounds) Manchester, one brother and sister-in-law John and Christine Manchester and his first wife, Ilene Manchester. He is survived by his wife, Jane Manchester, of the home, one daughter Lisa Manchester of Rector. Three sons and two daughters-in-law, Mark and Lindsey Manchester of Lake City, Jason and Sarah Manchester of Jonesboro, and Kevin "KK" Manchester of Paragould. Three grandchildren, Macy Jane Manchester, Max Manchester of Jonesboro and Caleb Manning of Lake City, and one nephew Charles Manchester. Mac accumulated over 50 years of service to the city of Rector and Clay County. He was a past member of the Rector City Council, and a former city Recorder/Treasurer. He was retired from the Rector Volunteer Fire Department, and had also served as chairman of the Rector Labor Day Picnic. Mac had been a member of the Rector Lions Club, Rector Chamber of Commerce, Rector Men's Organization and numerous other local groups. Mac was a longtime member of the Clay County Quorum Court, serving for many years on both the city council and Quorum Court. He was also a past member of the Clay County Democratic Central committee, and worked for many years in both regional and statewide political campaigns. Mac was a graduate of Rector High School and a member of the Rector Sports Hall of Fame, and was well known for his support of the Rector School and all of its programs. Mac was known for his outgoing personality and love of laughter. A noted story teller, he delighted generations of Rectorites with his stories of fun times in the community. He worked for many years as a newspaper printer, as an insurance salesman, and was retired from Purolator Courier. Post retirement, he was well known as a clerk at Harps Grocery in Rector until his 80th birthday. He enjoyed spending time with his family, visiting with friends, going to catfish dinners, and reading his newspapers everyday. Mac was a veteran of WWII, having served as a supply sergeant in the United State Army, Pacific Theater. He often told stories of island hopping during the war and swimming in the Pacific Ocean on Christmas Day. The family will observe a private burial service on Sunday July 3rd at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector and will celebrate the extraordinary life of Mac with friends on Tuesday, July 5th, with a visitation from 4-6 and a Celebration of Life service at 6pm at Fifth & Pine Church of Christ in Rector. Pallbearers will be Glenn Leach, Jeff Douglas, Todd Ford, Kirk Ford, Neal Wimberley, Lee Wimberley, Jonathan Kemp, Steven Sigsby, Keat Cohn, Bobby Tracer, Brian Linam, Clinton Haley, Brent Haley, Gregg Sain, Leland Blackshare, Bryan Blackshare and Bobby Gross.. Honorary Pallbearers will be Current and Former Elected Officials and employees of the City of Rector. The family requests that memorials be made to the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, Rector High School Hall of Fame, and Fifth & Pine Church of Christ in Rector.