June 22, 1932 to April 20, 2022

Mary Manuel passed away on April 20, 2022, surrounded by loved ones in Ruston, LA.  Mary was beloved by all who knew her. Her kindness inspired those around her and her commitment to her church and family were unsurpassed.

After graduating from Winnfield High School, then completing a secretarial course at the Huey P. Long Trade School, she moved to Lake Charles for employment. While working for a family-owned insurance company, she would frequent a neighborhood coffee shop and there she met a young Cajun man. After a seven-month courtship, Mary Ann and Herman Manuel were wed on July 4, 1953. Their love for one another was something to aspire to. Their three children were born in Lake Charles. In 1971, the Manuel family moved to Ruston where Mary was a stay-at-home mother. Later, she worked in the family-owned business, Manuel's Landscaping & Nursery.

Mary loved the Ruston area and the friends she made in the community. You were lucky if you ever tasted her coffee milk or her legendary chicken and dumplings. She enjoyed bird watching in her backyard and watching magnolia blossoms bloom.

Mary is survived by her husband of 69 years, Herman John Manuel, children; Sandi Manuel Adams, Ruston; David Manuel (Ginger), Ruston; Colleen Manuel Cox (Carey), Ft. Worth, TX. Grandchildren are Dr. Joshua Adams (Heidi), Ruston; Mallary Elizabeth Adams, Ruston; Christine Cox Ourso (Cliff), Baton Rouge; Carey Michael Cox, Baton Rouge; Melissa Manuel Rawl (Jordy), Wilmington, N.C.; Matt Manuel (Courtney), Frisco, TX. Great grandchildren are Mary Virginia Adams, John Mark Adams, Gabriella Ourso, Tripp Ourso, Porter Ourso, Cecily Ourso, Clara Rawl, Margot Rawl, and Parker Manuel; and her sister, Janice Porter Williams of West Monroe.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her son-in-law, Dr. John C. Adams.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Adams, Matt Manuel, Carey Michael Cox, Cliff Ourso, Lynn Sullivan, and Mike Froelich.

Visitation will be Friday, April 22, 2022, at 10:30 AM followed by a funeral mass at 12:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Thomas Family Life Center, 813 Carey Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270.  To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com .