Charles Roy Manchester

Charles Roy Manchester, 93, of Paducah, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Anna Mae Owen Hospice House.
 
Charles was born in Paducah on April 2, 1933.  He attended Augusta Tilghman High School and graduated from Murray State University in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy until 1957 and received a master's degree from Florida State University in 1960.
 
He spent the next twenty years in Mobile, Alabama, where he was a public-school orchestra and string teacher and later served as General Manager of the Mobile Symphony, Manager of the Mobile Chamber Music Society, and Executive Director of the Allied Arts Council of Metropolitan Mobile. He was one of the founders of the Alabama Assembly of Community Arts Agencies and was its president for four years. He also served on the board of the National Assembly of Community Arts Agencies and on the “Community in Arts Task Force” formed by the National Endowment for the Arts in the late 1970s. While in Mobile, he was a part-time instructor of string instruments at Mobile College, Spring Hill College, and the University of South Alabama.
 
Upon returning to Paducah in 1981, he was Executive Director of the Downtown Development Association for three years, then served simultaneously as Executive Director of the Market House Museum and General Manager of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra for fifteen years, and continued with the symphony until his retirement in 2000. He then continued with the Symphony in other roles until 2008.
Charles was a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Paducah and a Paul Harris Fellow. One of his proudest achievements was attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He maintained a private cello studio for over 50 years.
 
His parents, Lou Ester Clemens Manchester and Roy C. Manchester, preceded him in death, as did his wife Linda Priest Manchester and daughter Heather. He is survived by his brother, Robert C. Manchester; nieces Cathy (Mark) Hart, Laura Manchester, Jennifer (Nick) Baker, Lacey (Logan) Seger; nephew Robert C. (Michelle) Manchester II Clay (Courtney) Myers; sisters-in-law Cynthia Patrick, Pamela (C.C.) Myers; and brother-in-law Thomas B. (Karen) Priest, Jr., as well as several beloved grand nephews and nieces.
 
A graveside service for family and friends will be held Saturday, July 18^th at Mt, Kenton Cemetery. Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.
 
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, 760 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001, or Project Hope, P.O Box 125, Metropolis, IL 62960.