Carlene Marie Manuel

Carlene Marie Manuel took her final breath at 10 p.m., on the evening of December 22, 2021, with her only son, Martin Manuel, holding her hand at her bedside in Round Rock, Texas. Carlene was 73 at the time of her death, and she suffered from respiratory illness for several years. One month prior to her passing she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

From Beaumont, Texas, Carlene was born to parents Carl and Jessie Stinnett on July 17, 1948. After graduating from Forest Park High School, Carlene became a certified cosmetologist. Once she married, she left Beaumont on a 15-year sojourn. In Louisiana her son was born, and the family made Tyler, Texas their home for several years before moving abroad.

Family and friends were Carlene’s focus. Although she relocated many times, Carlene dedicated her energy both to raising her son and to developing deep and meaningful relationships in each community she belonged to. Carlene became a bona fide globetrotter when work brought her family overseas. Wide-ranging travels included African safaris, Mediterranean getaways, South American expeditions, tours of the European continent and a jaunt through the South Pacific. But the through line keeping Carlene grounded was always her relationships.

When Carlene returned to Beaumont, Texas in 1989 she wasted no time pulling together social gatherings and family celebrations at her rural home west of Amelia, Texas. Carlene was a creative perfectionist. Across stitch craft, pottery, cooking, decorating, scrapbooking and homemaking, anything Carlene put her mind to she did to the highest degree of craft and precision. She approached her relationships with the same curiosity and care. To be in Carlene’s circle was to have her full attention, generosity, and acceptance anytime. It was, at times, to endure her sassy jokes and pointed questions; she was a passionate matriarch who guided family and friends alike.

After years by her mother’s side in a nursing home, Carlene decided to embark on a late-in-life career as an Activity Director at multiple retirement communities in Beaumont, Texas. She retired in 2014.

Ms. Manuel is survived by sister, Mary Elizabeth Miles and husband Jim; brother Curtis Stinnett; son, Martin Manuel and wife Noel; grandchildren, Franklin and Berkeley; nieces and nephews Sherrill Pliai, Jerry Pliai and wife Debbie, Heather Stinnett-Seamon and husband Ryan, as well as great nieces and nephews, Jessie Simar, Toree Canizaro, Joseph Pliai, Rhett Seamon, and Colt Seamon; one great-great niece Quinn Canizaro; and cousins Johnny Norton, Sarah Norton and Hailey Norton.

“Nana” was especially close to cousin Chris Norton, his daughters Caylin & Chloe, and their mother Crystal; and Kellie Thornton, a long time caregiver.

In final moments, Carlene said to remember her love, and expressed deep gratitude for those who took care of her. A memorial service will be announced in the Spring of 2022.

Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov