A long and vital chapter in St. Clair County history and politics has closed. Paul Lawrence Manning, longtime county commissioner and commission chairman, died on August 9.

The lifelong resident of Ragland was 73 years old.

What do you do before you run for the county commission? Why, Paul Manning owned and ran a gas station, Manning Service Station. After a life-altering accident caused his paralysis, he opened Paul’s Barbecue in 1973. What a way to stay in touch and keep up with what everyday people are thinking. The community enjoyed gathering at his BBQ and joining in spirited discussions about politics.

Paul Manning joked that he opened the gas station to help mitigate the gas shortage during the Jimmy Carter administration.

The restaurant stayed open until 2014.

Paul married the

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