Milton Brown Maness, Jr., 73, fondly known as “Binky” to most people, died Saturday, December 18, at Smoky Ridge Health and Rehab in Burnsville, North Carolina, after a long illness.  His children often called him “Superman” because of his ability to produce a science project for them overnight.  His grandchildren called him “Papa Bink’” while the children of Plum Crazy (a kid’s nightclub in Spartanburg, SC, designed and run by both Binky and his son, Drew) called him “Papa Bear”.

     Binky was born January 10, 1948, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a son of the late Jo’ Ellen Reed Maness and the late Milton B. Maness.  As an avid young basketball player, Binky started his own exhibition team called the Junior Trotters which played half-time shows at colleges up and down the East Coast.  He was a 1966 graduate of Spartanburg High School, a three-sport athlete who still holds records there.  Binky played baseball for the University of South Carolina in his freshman year, graduating in 1974.  After college, he created his own comic strip called “The Local Yokels” which ran in upstate SC and NC.  In addition to owning his own art and photography business, Binky worked as a reporter for the Spartanburg Herald; a Univserv Representative for the SC Education Association; manager of Jacobs Photo in Summerville, SC; manager of Worldwide Camera in Charleston, SC; and a photographer for APT nationwide.  Binky was a member of South Estatoe Baptist Church in Burnsville and a past member and deacon of Kingstree First Baptist.

     Survivors,  in addition to his wife of almost 43 years, Eileen Thompson Maness of Burnsville, are his dearly loved son, Andrew Reed Maness of Summerville; his two stepdaughters whom he loved as his own, Laurel Lifrage Wade (Scott Steele) of Union, SC; and Tamara Jane Lifrage (Ned Threadgill) of Kingstree, SC; a special granddaughter, Lyla Addison Smith Lifrage of Burnsville whom he considered his fifth child; one brother, Mark Maness, of Spartanburg; three sisters, Melinda Gray (Chip) of Greenville, SC; Molly Horton (Mike Small) of Gaston, SC; and Mia Maness of Charleston, SC; three grandchildren all of Union, Seth Wade (Lacey); Logan Wade (Hunter Wolfe); and Nick Wade (Teri); and three great grandsons, Mason Wade, Myles Wolfe, and Jax Wade.  A favorite aunt, Patsy Reed Turner, also survives as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Binky was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Hayley Fust (Paul).

     Binky loved God and his family.  He also enjoyed watching sports on television and taking various family members on trips, both national and international.  A memorial service will be held at 4 PM Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Kingstree First Baptist Church in Kingstree, South Carolina with Reverend Ian Geimer officiating.  Memorials may be made to South Estatoe Baptist Church in Burnsville or Kingstree First Baptist Church. The family would like to thank Blue Ridge Hospice and Smoky Ridge Health and Rehab for their care and assistance.