Muriel "Granny" Smith was born on March 30, 1910 in New Haven, Conn. Her entire childhood was spent there and eventually met the man that would become her husband and friend, Kenneth Smith. 'Granny' and Kenneth both were employees of the Southern New England Phone Company until his death in 1970. After several years, Muriel decided to start over and moved to Beaumont, Texas in 1990 where she became a respected member of the community.
'Granny' was a true "Lady" in every sense of the word. She was educated, elegant, in her youth a debutante in the New England social society and a loving and caring person to all of those that became her friend. She was, up to the time of her passing, a lady that possessed the highest level of dignity and integrity.
'Granny' found herself alone in Beaumont with no family that she acknowledged; however it did not take her long to make many friends to fill her life. In 1994, she met a young man by the name of Michael S. Manuel who she later adopted as her Grandson. Michael became her family, her friend, her joy and her reason for living. I know that I overheard her many times telling Michael "I have no idea what I would do without you, you are the son I always wanted but never had". Michael, after many years of friendship, became 'Granny's' legal guardian and never left her side. He, along with other friends filled the hours of 'Granny's' life with great memories. She said that the greatest memory she had was at the age of 90, Michael surprised her with a trip back to New England but not only was it her first time back home, it was the first airplane trip of her life. I remember her saying," Now, I have done everything". She had many wonderful times with Michael by her side from the plane trip to sporting around in her favorite red mustang convertible, scarf tied around her neck and enjoying life to the fullest. 'Granny' also loved to go to Michael's country home in Vinton, La. where she could sit outside on the porch and hear the birds singing and remember the stillness of those 'long ago' New England nights. Along with Michael, she made many life long friends: Fulton and Norma Manuel, Gertrude "Gertie" Broussard of Hotel Beaumont, Jon Reaud, Dana and Bubba Frazier, Betty Crocker and Dusty, Lana, Jamie, Susan (hospice care) and all the staff at Country Dreams Assisted Living Facility.
Muriel 'Granny' Smith left this world on Thursday January 20, 2005 in the comfort of her home with Michael by her side at 1:30pm. She will be remembered with great love by all of us that were touched by the tenderness of her life.
Her funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2005 at Broussard's, 1605 N Major Drive in Beaumont, Texas. Burial will be at Nibletts Bluff Cemetery in Vinton, La following the service. Pallbearers will be Fulton Manuel, Armando Ruiz of Vinton; Donald Bearce and Jon Reaud of Beaumont. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 23, 2005 from 5:00p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Mortuary.
"Granny, this is not goodbye but only 'Farewell' for now, for one day we will be together again for eternity"
With all My Love,
Your Loving Grandson, Michael
