Shirley Mae Manuel's Obituary
MOTHER”, Shirley Mae Brooks Manuel, 93, Passed away on August 06, 2023, at her home in Mansfield, Texas.
She was born on June 28,1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Joseph Brooks and Edna Francois Hamilton. Preceded in death by her sister LaVergne Monteque (Rudolph). Shirley attended Marie C Covent Elementary, Valena C Jones Junior High and McDonogh 35 Senior High School up to 11th grade. Always aspiring to be more, she later received her High School Equivalency Diploma from McDonogh 35 on June 12, 1980, in which she was most proud of.
On January 17,1948, Shirley married Eddie Benjamin Manuel Jr., in New Orleans, Louisiana. The blessings from this union included 15 children: Janelle Manuel, Debra Seaton (Mike-Deceased), Sernita Manuel (Allen), Synda Windon, Edith Kennedy, Romalis Manuel (Tracy), Troy Manuel Sr., Letetia Wiley (Victor-Deceased), Trudy Powell (Eric), LaVergne Adelman (Lloyd), the late Lorraine Manuel, Eddie Manuel 3rd, and Kris Manuel. She was Aunt and Godmother to Kirk Lee (Cynthia), Tyrone Davis, Wayne Slater, and the late Joseph Chester Lee.
Shirley, known as “MOTHER”, to many, was a devoted wife and mother. She accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Greater Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church by Pastor Lee. She served as a Deaconess and in other auxiliaries at Greater Emmanuel MBC and Bountiful Blessings Full Gospel Ministry under Pastor Ollis T Brown. Having to relocate in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, she continued her walk with Christ at Koinonia Christian Church in Arlington, under the leadership of Dr. Ronnie W Goines, until her death. She was fully committed to her motherly role at home and helped instill the necessary tools into her children to succeed in life. Outside of that Shirley taught herself how to sew and crochet. She was also a representative for Stanley Home Products and Sarah Coventry Jewelry, which afforded her the opportunity to meet new people through traveling and attending conferences. Shirley would regularly volunteer at the Reality Senior Center on Franklin Ave. She also worked at the voting polls as an election officer in her district. Mother had a great love for recreational games; Bingo, Casino, Rummikub, Sequence, Pity Pat and her famous Computer Spider Solitaire.
Shirley, “Mother”, lived a full and very fruitful life. Loving her family dearly and cherishing every moment, she was able to get everyone together to celebrate life with her. She had a wonderful smile that would brighten any room. She didn't let her health conditions stop her. Mother will be sadly missed by all that love her.
The Battle Is Fought and The Victory Is Won.
A Servant of God Gone On Home.
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