Mobile City Council President Levon Manzie was a “living servant of the people” who was “taken from us too soon,” his family said in a statement released Monday.
Manzie died at the age of 38. Confirmation of the two-term councilman’s death came on Monday.
“The Manzie family is truly devastated by the loss of our beloved son and brother,” the family statement reads. “Our hearts are heavy and deeply saddened. We feel Levon was taken from us too soon, but his work and accomplishments will continue to make a tremendous mark on the city of Mobile.”
Manzie, 38, had been dealing with health issues in recent months following what he said was a fall that led to a broken hip in the spring. He told AL.com in June that his recovered had been hindered from a chronic kidney disease he has had since he was 13.
The family confirmed the passing with the Mobile City Council on Monday morning. The family statement did not release a cause of death.
Manzie had been in a wheelchair for several months, sparking questions about his overall physical health. Manzie said he suffered a hip injury from a fall in March while he was walking down a hill after delivering a funeral service for one of his parishioners in Choctaw County. He was a fourth-generation minister and been a pastor at St. Joseph’s Missionary Baptist Church in Whistler since 2018.
“The family, his St. Joseph’s Baptist Church family, along with the city of Mobile were truly blessed by his wealth and knowledge and concern for the citizens of Mobile,” the family statement reads.
The Mobile City Council, in a statement, called the councilman a “shining example of how to persevere and fight even during the toughest of times.”
Mobile City Council Vice President C.J. Small said the council is still scheduled to meet on Tuesday at Government Plaza for its weekly meeting. The council’s pre-conference meeting will begin at 9 a.m. with the regularly-scheduled council meeting starting at 10:30 a.m.
The council’s administrative services committee is postponing its meeting on Tuesday.
Manzie was set to face former councilman William Carroll during the October 5 runoff. Manzie ended up with 48% of the vote during the August 24 municipal election to Carroll’s 23%.
A spokesperson with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office confirmed that the Mobile City Council District 2 runoff will “continue as initially planned because the ballots have already been printed.”
Mobile City Clerk Lisa Lambert confirmed that the runoff election in District 2ill be held as planned and that Manzie’s name will remain on the ballot.
If Manzie were to win the upcoming election, then there would be a vacancy for that position, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. A special election would then have to take place.
If Carroll wins the runoff, then the matter will be resolved, though “regulations for filling a vacancy can vary from municipality to municipality because municipalities may have their own local laws,” according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Jon Gray, a political consultant based in Mobile, said that state law allows Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson the authority to appoint a temporary replacement to Manzie’s seat, but that the appointment would need City Council approval. The appointment would serve out the remainder of Manzie’s term, which expires on November 1.
Outside Councilman Levon Manzie's re-election headquarters on Government Street in Mobile, Ala., on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).
Manzie represented the Mobile City Council’s District 2, which included downtown Mobile and its surrounding neighborhoods. Some of district’s areas are poised to become major focal points for policy decisions for the years to come: Africatown, the waterfront and the Port of Mobile, and midtown Mobile. Major attractions within the district are expected to be undergoing changes in the coming years such as the Mobile Civic Center, GulfQuest Maritime Museum and Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
He was officially elected as the council president in 2019, but had served as the council’s vice-president and oversaw council meetings dating back to 2017, as the group’s de facto president during a dispute over who should serve in that role.
According to the city, Manzie -- as a councilman -- launched key initiatives to revitalize parks and recreation centers, rebuild and replace dangerous sidewalks in both neighborhoods and the Downtown Entertainment District, and directed city funds towards road resurfacing and drainage projects. He also worked to combat blight.
While focused on the future of District 2, Manzie was also dedicated to preserving its historic past – “from honoring local community leaders to ensuring historic communities are properly recognized for generations to come.”
Council members, in individual statements to the media, praised the councilman as a “servant leader.”
“President Manzie, a man after God’s own heart, was the epitome of servant leadership,” said Small. “My brother will be greatly missed.”
Others weighed in:
Councilman Fred Richardson: “Levon was an ardent advocate for his District and our city and he will be sorely missed. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all the citizens of District 2 as well as the St. Joseph’s Missionary Baptist Church family.”
Councilman John Williams: “Levon Charles Manzie was a kind and gentle statesman. I will forever recall his never failing greeting of ‘Hello John Charles’ to which I would respond, ‘Hello Levon Charles’ - leaving both of us smiling. No doubt, our council president left the citizens of our city a great example of how to live as a true civil servant.”
Councilman Joel Daves, who was elected the same year as Manzie in 2013: “Levon Manzie and I were elected to the City Council at the same time and over the years we worked together, I developed a tremendous respect for him. Although he experienced significant health challenges, he never let those challenges impair his attitude or willingness to work hard for his constituents. His loss is a great loss not only for the residents of District 2, but for all the citizens of Mobile.”
Councilwoman Bess Rich: “I’ve known Levon since he served on the Youth Council for the City of Mobile. His interest, knowledge and understanding of the needs of his constituents were paramount in his representation as a council person. Levon made a huge difference and touched numerous people in his lifetime. He will be long remembered and greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him and knowing him. May his memory be for a blessing.”
Councilwoman Gina Gregory: “I’m heart broken by the news of my friend and colleague Levon Manzie’s death. Levon and I have shared a close working relationship over the years. Levon has been a true servant leader for his district and our City. His passion, vision and get the job done attitude will be greatly missed. Levon was always smiling and had an infectious laugh and positive attitude that made everyone feel good.”
Stimpson, in a statement, said Manzie leaves behind a legacy “as a man of faith” and as a “compassionate unifier who made a positive impact” on Mobile.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and colleague, City Council President Levon Manzie,” Stimpson said. “Being grounded in his faith, Reverend Manzie was driven to be a peacemaker. While his focus was serving his constituents, his heart was for moving the entire City of Mobile forward. It was Levon’s childhood dream to be a city councilman in his hometown – a dream he fulfilled as a truly dedicated public servant for the city he dearly loved.
Jean and I join the entire city in mourning the loss of a great servant leader.”
Manzie, a Mobile native, was a graduate of Murphy High School and Troy University. He was the youngest person elected to serve on both the Mobile County School Board and the Mobile City Council. His tenure on the School Board lasted from 2008-2013.
Former Superintendent Martha Peek, in a Tweet, called Manzie an “outstanding person” who will “long be remembered.
The Mobile County School System said Manzie was “wise beyond his years” when he first ran and was elected to the Mobile County School Board when he was in his 20s.
The school system’s statement reads, “We at Mobile County Public Schools are saddened by the death of Mobile City Council President Levon Manzie. Reverend Manzie was a proud graduate of Murphy High School. He ran for his seat on the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners as a young man in his mid-20s who was wise beyond his years. He was instrumental in securing a $100 million construction bond to build and renovate schools. He loved representing the people and the students of his district, and he was always looking for ways to help. Our thoughts are with Reverend Manzie’s family and friends, as well as with the entire City of Mobile as we mourn his loss.”