Bessie Clairday Manuel, 87, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Beaumont. She was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, but lived her entire life in Beaumont, and the close suburb of Lumberton for ten years. She was a graduate of South Park High School.
She married her first husband, Johnie Clairday, in Beaumont, and had one son, Matt Clairday. Johnie died in 1978, and Bessie raised her son as a single Mom. She worked in CPS Child Protective Services in Beaumont for a decade before retiring in the 1990s.
Bessie remarried Wesley Manuel, in 1992, and they were able to travel and enjoy life until his death in 2010.
She loved to sing, and did so in the choir at First United Methodist Church for many years, where she also taught Sunday school. Bessie did modeling also, and was a finalist in the Senior Miss Texas. She was a past President of the Optimist Club in Beaumont, and loved to raise money for local children. Her life was about helping others. Bessie also belonged to the Woman's Club, where she sang in local programs.
She is survived by her son, Matt Clairday and his wife, Robynn, of Las Vegas, Nevada; stepchildren, Nancy Jarzyna and her husband, Edward, of Flatwoods, Louisiana; John Manuel and his wife, Gail, of West Palm Beach, Florida; Cathy Manuel and Dea Marie Manuel, both of Lake Charles, Louisiana; nephew, Rick Tiller; and niece, Pam Tiller, both of Dallas; and close family friend, Christina Picard.
A gathering of Mrs. Manuel’s family and friend will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 19, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
