Ruby Theresa Manuel

October 8, 1931 — April 25, 2026

Nederland

Our family was deeply saddened to lose our sweet mother, Ruby Theresa Manuel. Ruby passed from this life peacefully on April 25, 2026 at the age of 94 with family by her side.

Ruby was born in Chataignier, Louisiana on October 8, 1931 and lost her mother at the tender age of eight. She met and married Lezy Manuel at the age of seventeen. They were married 75 years! They started their family while Lee was in the Merchant Marines and moved to Port Arthur, Texas where they raised 3 children. Their family would eventually include five children after subsequent moves to Nederland, Texas, Blackwood, New Jersey and Groves, Texas.

Ruby's strong foundation in her faith was reflected throughout her life as a devoted Catholic. She had a special love for the Blessed Mother, Mary and would often pray the rosary and sometimes make a crown of roses to place on her statue in the yard. She encouraged that faith in her children and lived her life with love, grace and simple acts of kindness. Her unconditional love extended to our friends who were always welcome in our home. She enjoyed music, sewing, crocheting and playing the card game, Crazy Eight. She was a wonderful cook and worked hard to keep up with her 5 children and a busy house.

Ruby had a compassionate and humble spirit. She never wanted to call attention to herself and always went out of her way to avoid inconveniencing others. She was never really comfortable in large groups or big parties. Her happiest times were spent with family, neighbors and close friends. There was always a cup of coffee waiting for the next visitor.

Ruby is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Phyllis Vincent and her husband, Ernest, her daughter, Annette Harrell and her husband, Kenneth, her daughter, Donna Guy and her husband, Tim, her son, John Manuel and his wife, Mindy; her grandchildren, Nicholas Black, Kristina Manuel, Sarah Nichols (Joey), Olivia Kessel-Guzman (Phillip), Colt Richards (Morgan); great grandchildren, Charlotte Nichols, Dominic Guzman, Mai Richards.

Ruby will be reunited in heaven with her husband, Lezy Manuel, daughter, Cindy Kessel, mother, Ozena Rougeau Brown, her father, Tanzy Brown, sister, Lily Leake, brothers, Ozzay, Eursey, Dewey, Berkman, and Chester Brown.

The family would like to express our deep appreciation to Heart to Heart Hospice and mom’s sweet, loving nurse, Tasha Broom. We would also like to thank Maria Salome Cobos for her love and caring spirit while tending to mom through the nights. We will always think of you as family.

The family will be honoring Ruby Manuel at the Immaculate Conception-St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 4100 Lincoln Avenue, Groves, Texas. The visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. At 11:00 AM, the Rosary will be recited and following this, at 11:30 AM, a Mass in celebration of her life. She will be laid to her eternal rest at Oak Bluff Cemetery located in Port Neches, Texas immediately following Mass. Everyone is welcome back to a reception after the burial at the Immaculate Conception-St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.