Walter Travis Mangum, 71, of Shelby, NC passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 4, 2025, following a brave 5-year battle with ALS. Travis is survived by his wife of 48 years, Amy Henry Mangum and two daughters, Jillian Dill (David) and Jordan Byess (McClain), and three grandchildren, all of Greenville, SC; his brother Bill Mangum (Paige) of Harpswell, ME, as well as numerous beloved extended family members. He is preceded in death by his son Whitley and daughter Grayson both of whom had significant special needs. Their births became the catalyst for Travis' lifelong passion of advocating for and improving the life of those living with disabilities. He is also preceded in death by his parents Howard and Elsie Mangum and his sister Marilyn Mangum Searle, all of Wake Forest, NC.

Travis, who possessed both boundless energy and the ability to convince anyone to do anything, lived with purpose and enthusiasm and was never without a mission or project. He was a graduate of UNC-Charlotte and a founding member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He helped start the Hearts and Hooves therapeutic riding program at North Shelby School and HarvestWorks Farm day activity program for adults with special needs. For over 30 years, Travis was an active member of the Shelby Civitan Club and served as president for several terms throughout his tenure. His role as host of the Civitans' annual Christmas party at North Shelby School, now lovingly known as the Travis Mangum Annual North Shelby Christmas Party, brought him immense joy. In recent years, he had a passion for the Cleveland County Potato Project which provides food for local food banks and shelters, the Bankers House Restoration Project and Equestrian Camp, and the In God We Trust ministry with the chaplains of the Shelby City police department who provide care for those in crisis.

He worked as an accountant for 46 years, starting his business, Mangum & Associates, upon moving to Shelby. He felt it was a great privilege to offer financial guidance to clients during all of life's stages and was honored to call many of his clients his closest friends.

His family is comforted by the fact that Travis' faith was strong and that he was able to look forward with great anticipation to the joy to come.

Our family would like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to the incredible and compassionate care provided by Hospice during Travis' life.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Shelby beginning at 10:00 am, with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Travis' memory to The Joe Martin ALS Foundation of Charlotte and Hospice of Cleveland County.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Mangum.