Mr. Manning “Stick” Sinkler, Sr. 97, of Shelby, NC entered eternal rest peacefully on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Peak Resources in Cherryville, NC. He was born on January 10, 1923 in Hartsville, SC to the late Jake and Susan Montgomery Spann Sinkler. Growing up in Lawndale, NC, he attended Vance Grove Elementary and Douglas High Schools. At an early age, he enlisted in the United States Navy in which he was awarded the Americal Theatre Medal and European Theatre Medal during World War II. He received an Honorable Discharge on November 1, 1945 after 24 months of service. After release from service, he moved back to Shelby, NC, when one day he saw this jewel of a lady walking up Carolina Avenue, approached her and asked “Do you like chicken?”. She replied, “Yes.” He stuck his elbow out and said, “Grab this wing”. They married on July 21, 1946. “Stick” as he was called was employed at Cleveland Memorial Hospital where he began as an orderly and assistant in housekeeping. He was then promoted to male nursing assistant and later as an orthopedic technician. He received an Outstanding Service Award for 31 years of employment which was from July 1, 1949 to March 31, 1982 wherein he retired. “Stck” enjoyed many pastimes: playing checkers, bowling, watching western movies, coaching basketball and gardening at his home. He later became a taxi cab driver at Bap Weaver’s Cab Service.

“Stick” was baptized on August 12, 1990 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Gaffney, SC and later became a devoted deacon. He received an Appreciation Award for 17 years of wonderful service on December 30, 2007. He later changed his membership to Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, NC and eventually received the honor of Deacon Emeritus on June 3, 2017. The award stated, “Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant”. “Stick” was a loving husband, father, uncle , grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor and friend who touched the lives of many. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Manning Stick Sinkler, Jr. and Darrell Akers Sinkler; daughter, Selena Grace Sinkler Rodgers and many siblings, Mosey Montgomery, Hattie Montgomery, Louise Montgomery, Joseph Spann, Elliot “Bud” Spann, Mable Spann Odom, Marie Mary Spann, John Henry Spann, Nonie Spann Hopper, Arthur Sinkler, William Sinkler, Boston Sinkler, Woodrow “Jake” Sinkler and Louise Sinkler Muldrow. Manning leaves to cherish fond memories of him to his wife of 74 years, Novella Hunt Sinkler; one son, Dennis Chico Sinkler (special friend, Angie Surratt); three granddaughters, Denise Kee of Austin, TX, Damara Nicole Sinkler of Charlotte, NC and Danielle C. Griffin (Adam) of Henderson, NV; six great-grandchildren, Taivion Taylor, Amias Griffin, Kaela Johnson, Miles Griffin, EliAna Griffin and Kyan Johnson and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The service for Mr. Sinkler will be private. He may be viewed on Thursday, December 31, 2020 from 8:30 AM until 10:30 AM at S.T. Enloe Memorial Chapel. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook starting at 12:45 PM on December 31,2020. Burial will take place at Webb Memorial Lawns. In lieu of flowers, contributions in the memory of Manning Sinkler can be sent to the Leona Neal Senior Center, Food Pantry at 100 T. R. Harris Drive, Shelby.