This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Lela Manning, 63 years old, born on October 17, 1956, and passed away on October 8, 2020. We will remember her forever.
Tributes
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December 8, 2022
December 8, 2022
I think of her often. Every sporting event I attend and watch; every football game (Hawks, Longhorns or Cowboys), I always think of her. One of the things I miss is the texts providing words of comfort. I also miss the likes on Facebook. If I’m ever feeling down, I always try to remember the sound of her voice and hearing her voice. I love her and I always will and I know she will always love me too.
October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022
Happy Birthday.
October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022
No one goes on about their aunt passing. I'm guessing the number of people who were really close with their aunt when they passed is minimal. She was the opposite. She was very much important to my life.
Her last words to me were "I love you so much, more than you'll ever know." She has said that to me probably a hundred times.
I was thinking of posting a sad song to but instead, in honor of her spirit, I'm posting a "you go girl" song for the tough girls in my life.. I think she would like that better.
Her last words to me were "I love you so much, more than you'll ever know." She has said that to me probably a hundred times.
I was thinking of posting a sad song to but instead, in honor of her spirit, I'm posting a "you go girl" song for the tough girls in my life.. I think she would like that better.
October 8, 2022
October 8, 2022
You were such an incredible, loving, compassionate caring and amazing person it’s hard for me to believe that it’s been two years since you’ve been gone. You are so dearly loved and so dearly missed. Neither illness nor death will ever take away how much you love us. I often felt like a son to you and Uncle Sparky and a brother to V. Everywhere I go, every road trip I take, every football game I go to and see; Hawks, Longhorns or Cowboys, every solo I sing in church, every Sunday I sing, every seizure I have, every Sunday night I bowl, everyday I go to work, I know you’re with me in spirit. I am forever grateful and honored to have been a nephew to you and to have had you as an aunt. You really enhanced my life. I miss seeing your “likes” of my status on Facebook as well as your comments on my posts and I miss our regular correspondances via text and talk. Your absence leaves a hole in our hearts but we rejoice in the fact that we had you as a mother, father, aunt, sister, dear friend and many other titles. We love you and we miss you and we’ll see you again one day. ❤️✝️❤️
September 19, 2022
September 19, 2022
April 1, 2022
April 1, 2022
November 7, 2021
November 7, 2021
October 17, 2021
October 17, 2021
October 9, 2021
October 9, 2021
My dearest Aunt Lela,
You are so much more to me than my aunt. You are my friend. You are truly beyond special and words cannot describe how much you mean to me. Your relationships with everyone are unique, I’m sure. As Veronique said in your obituary, not time nor distance affect your connections with us. You are thoughtful, kind, jovial, loving, and forgiving. I wish you were here right now. You gave me so many wonderful gifts that expressed how you feel about me. You always had a huge smile and an even huger hug for me no matter the where or what. Above all you gave me your love, your daughter Veronique and my Uncle Sparky. We will always be bound by our love for you. You always listened to me rant, counseled me when I needed it, knew when to let me figure it out on my own, and loved me unconditionally.
When I think of you, I remember our visits, our talks, the games we played, the gifts you gave, and your laugh. I can still hear you laughing, thank you Whoever. You never, ever let me out of your sight or off the phone without making sure I knew how much you love me. Not once. I was the first baby, your first niece on your side of the family so you doted on me then and throughout my whole life. I am truly honored. You love my cousin, your daughter, Veronique and my Uncle Sparky, your husband, so fiercely and with all your might. And yet you still have so much love to give.
I have never been a religious person, but you are a believer and still do not judge me. Nor have you ever tried to to push your beliefs on me, ever. Is that a part of your faith?
When Veronique told me you were about to pass, I read a book about losing a love. I didn’t know how to deal. There was a poem that hit home. It describes those of us who love you watching you sailing away in a ship saying, “There she goes…” and all of those on the “other side” joyfully cheering, “Here she comes!” I honestly believe this could not happen any other way. I believe that you have moved onto another place, a wonderful place that is full of happiness while you look down on us.
That, right there, means that I now have faith. That is the last and most important gift you could ever give me. Faith.
I love you. I miss you. Have a blast! I hope to see you on the “other side”.
Jalane out.
October 8, 2021
October 8, 2021
I can't seem to find the words or put them together in a way to describe properly how lucky I feel to have had Lela in my life.
I met Lela while working at Chase, usually after work we'd spend so much time talking about literally everything and anything. She was so understanding and kind and open minded, open hearted. She wore her heart on her sleeves, you knew what she feeling and thinking because she was always true and honest with you. It's so rare to meet a person like this. I miss Lela - I can hear her laugh, I can see her smiling face, feel the comfort she always managed to give. She was and is a best friend to me, always.
I appreciate Lela for inviting me into her family and making me feel so welcome, for allowing me to experience what it means to have a true friend.
There's so much more to say - but I hope the takeaway from this is that I love my friend and she will always be in my heart, and I will always treasure the friendship we had.
I met Lela while working at Chase, usually after work we'd spend so much time talking about literally everything and anything. She was so understanding and kind and open minded, open hearted. She wore her heart on her sleeves, you knew what she feeling and thinking because she was always true and honest with you. It's so rare to meet a person like this. I miss Lela - I can hear her laugh, I can see her smiling face, feel the comfort she always managed to give. She was and is a best friend to me, always.
I appreciate Lela for inviting me into her family and making me feel so welcome, for allowing me to experience what it means to have a true friend.
There's so much more to say - but I hope the takeaway from this is that I love my friend and she will always be in my heart, and I will always treasure the friendship we had.
October 8, 2021
October 8, 2021
Aunt Lela was a woman of many roles. Mother, daughter, wife, aunt, friend and countless others. She was also a teacher in the sense that she taught us how to persevere through adversity in life. Early on in her life, she dealt with tragedy; her father died in a car wreck when she was ten months old and also she had a congenital heart condition and was not expected to make it past 18 months, but that’s exactly what she did. She didn’t scrape by in life, she lived a full eventful life and flourished for six and a half decades. She was a very loving kindhearted person and very compassionate. After Aunt Jean passed away in December 2010, , we started texting and talking more often and she listened to me and gave me advice for whatever came my way. I felt like I was her son in a way. In her final months she faced her declining state courageously and with grace and unfailing love for all of us. I miss her but I’m also very proud to be her nephew and illness nor passing will ever change that
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
December 8, 2022
December 8, 2022
I think of her often. Every sporting event I attend and watch; every football game (Hawks, Longhorns or Cowboys), I always think of her. One of the things I miss is the texts providing words of comfort. I also miss the likes on Facebook. If I’m ever feeling down, I always try to remember the sound of her voice and hearing her voice. I love her and I always will and I know she will always love me too.
October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022
Happy Birthday.
October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022
Gallery
My 25th birthday party 2016
My 25th birthday party 2016
My 25th birthday party 2016
My 25th birthday party 2016
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Doing one of her favorite activities - Playing a game with family
Recent stories
3rd Heavenly Birthday
October 17, 2022
It’s hasn’t gotten any easier being here without you. I still feel like you’re somewhere else and I just need to go visit you. My heart and head seem to refuse to accept that I won’t see you again in this life. The thought that we could loose you earlier than we should always loomed above our heads but didn’t make it any easier when we did.
Instead of trying to keep myself busy on the days leading up to today because I knew it would be difficult, I wish instead I was looking for your gift. Or getting your cake. Or maybe trying to make your cake again. My first try wasn’t too bad and things usually get better the more you try them. Or searching for the perfect card that would make you cry. I wish we were celebrating today with you here.
We started the business we had always talked about. Today was to be our opening in honor of you. We are not where we need to be just yet but we will still consider today our soft opening. As I created the items and learned new things on YouTube I couldn’t help but think how it would be so much easier to learn from you. I look at the items I’ve created and think how much better you would have made them. I think of how much easier it would be because you’d be helping me. We miss you in this business in more ways than one. You taught us well however and because of that every item we create is imbued with the love you gave so freely and great care. We know that you surround us and are with us in all we do as you are our muse.
I miss being able to hug you. I miss chatting with you about anything and everything. I miss everything, the good and bad. I can’t wait to see you again. You are loved beyond measure momma and will be forever missed.
Happy Heavenly Birthday!
Instead of trying to keep myself busy on the days leading up to today because I knew it would be difficult, I wish instead I was looking for your gift. Or getting your cake. Or maybe trying to make your cake again. My first try wasn’t too bad and things usually get better the more you try them. Or searching for the perfect card that would make you cry. I wish we were celebrating today with you here.
We started the business we had always talked about. Today was to be our opening in honor of you. We are not where we need to be just yet but we will still consider today our soft opening. As I created the items and learned new things on YouTube I couldn’t help but think how it would be so much easier to learn from you. I look at the items I’ve created and think how much better you would have made them. I think of how much easier it would be because you’d be helping me. We miss you in this business in more ways than one. You taught us well however and because of that every item we create is imbued with the love you gave so freely and great care. We know that you surround us and are with us in all we do as you are our muse.
I miss being able to hug you. I miss chatting with you about anything and everything. I miss everything, the good and bad. I can’t wait to see you again. You are loved beyond measure momma and will be forever missed.
Happy Heavenly Birthday!
My 2nd Birthday
September 15, 2022
My second birthday without my mom. It hurts just as bad today as last year. Only good thing is I’m not worried about my
dad’s health as much this year at this time.
Last year my pain was exponential for many reasons. As I think back on past birthdays with her it’s
hard not to smile or laugh
My mom would make a cake for almost every one of my birthdays. Sometimes it was fancy (she made me an awesome Strawberry Shortcake, the character, cake when I was a kid) and sometimes it was plain, but it was always made with love which made it taste so good. When she wasn’t able to make them for me anymore, we would buy them. It was always my choice and a big deal.
When I was a kid, she would give me the gifts she knew I wanted. She would also give me gifts that denoted a milestone in my growth. I remember one year being so excited to get shaving gel and a razor because it meant I was growing up. When I was a child Cabbage Patch Kid dolls were the big thing. I wanted one so bad because they came with a birth certificate and everything. I always wanted to be a mom and so this doll felt like my first foray into parenthood. However, they were hard to find because they were so popular and pretty expensive. My mom looked at the doll in the store, studied it and thought to herself “I can make that” and she did. She made me a Cabbage Patch Kid, clothes and all, no birth certificate but everything else. She did a great job too. I didn’t even realize at first it wasn’t the real doll. I loved that doll so much and took it with me everywhere. Then a year or two later they were easier to buy, and we were able to afford it and she bought me a “real” one because she felt she had cheated me with making my first one. The birth certificate was everything I had hoped, and the doll was great, I love it too, but it was definitely not as special as the one she made for me.
As I got older, she would ask me what I wanted for my birthday, but it didn’t really matter what I told her because she would find something unique and special that I would of course love. When she could, she would still make me gifts as well. I rarely received expensive gifts or big-ticket items for my birthday. Her gifts were always thoughtful and showed me just how well she knew me and loved me.
It's hard celebrating a day that has always been so imbued with my mom’s presence. A day we have shared in together all my life. My mom always made me feel so special on my birthday with the little things she’d do. I miss her every day but today is one of the ones that hits harder.
My mom would make a cake for almost every one of my birthdays. Sometimes it was fancy (she made me an awesome Strawberry Shortcake, the character, cake when I was a kid) and sometimes it was plain, but it was always made with love which made it taste so good. When she wasn’t able to make them for me anymore, we would buy them. It was always my choice and a big deal.
When I was a kid, she would give me the gifts she knew I wanted. She would also give me gifts that denoted a milestone in my growth. I remember one year being so excited to get shaving gel and a razor because it meant I was growing up. When I was a child Cabbage Patch Kid dolls were the big thing. I wanted one so bad because they came with a birth certificate and everything. I always wanted to be a mom and so this doll felt like my first foray into parenthood. However, they were hard to find because they were so popular and pretty expensive. My mom looked at the doll in the store, studied it and thought to herself “I can make that” and she did. She made me a Cabbage Patch Kid, clothes and all, no birth certificate but everything else. She did a great job too. I didn’t even realize at first it wasn’t the real doll. I loved that doll so much and took it with me everywhere. Then a year or two later they were easier to buy, and we were able to afford it and she bought me a “real” one because she felt she had cheated me with making my first one. The birth certificate was everything I had hoped, and the doll was great, I love it too, but it was definitely not as special as the one she made for me.
As I got older, she would ask me what I wanted for my birthday, but it didn’t really matter what I told her because she would find something unique and special that I would of course love. When she could, she would still make me gifts as well. I rarely received expensive gifts or big-ticket items for my birthday. Her gifts were always thoughtful and showed me just how well she knew me and loved me.
It's hard celebrating a day that has always been so imbued with my mom’s presence. A day we have shared in together all my life. My mom always made me feel so special on my birthday with the little things she’d do. I miss her every day but today is one of the ones that hits harder.
Mother’s Day 2022
May 9, 2022
It’s an odd feeling celebrating a Mother’s Day without my mother for the second year. Today is simply a reminder of what I’ve lost, my best friend and mother. I can of course still celebrate her for all that she was but it still comes with the sharp and stinging price. A jarring reminder that she is no more and that I will never have her again in this life.
I wonder if she had been a mean, spiteful, and unrelenting mother if I’d feel the same. I suppose to some extent I would as she would be regardless the woman who brought me into this world. However, I don’t think my heartache would be as great as it is now because I know what I’m missing. I’m missing a mother who loved unconditionally. A mother who gave up dreams for me. A mother who gave me a voice and taught me to use it. A mother that believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. A woman who above all else wanted nothing more in life than to be my mother.
Mom was fulfilled being a wife and mother. That didn’t mean that she didn’t have dreams. She wanted to get a college degree and she was only 3 credits away from her associates. I was lucky enough to go to college with my mom and we took many courses together. I loved hearing her take and opinions on what we learned and sharing mine with her. Often they coincided but at times they were opposing. We both took that in stride and respected each other’s side even if it really frustrated us.
She dreamed of helping people. She loved psychology. She wanted to learn and understand what made people tick and could be quite empathetic. She wanted to help people learn about themselves and help them through their issues. She dreamed of being a social worker or therapist.
She was an amazing artist. She crafted so many lovely items for people from several different mediums. She loved ceramics, crocheting, macrame, etc. if it was a craft she was interested and wanted to try. Many of us are honored to have items she lovingly hand crafted for us.
While she didn’t get to achieve all her dreams, because like most of us life gets in the way, she still felt satisfied with what she did accomplish. Forging bonds of love with all those she held dear.
Even though her heart may have been weakened physically, her spiritual heart was as big and as strong as ever. She gave love freely and without strings. I know I’m not the only one that misses her but today hurts more than the others because I can’t celebrate it with her. She is forever loved and forever missed.
I wonder if she had been a mean, spiteful, and unrelenting mother if I’d feel the same. I suppose to some extent I would as she would be regardless the woman who brought me into this world. However, I don’t think my heartache would be as great as it is now because I know what I’m missing. I’m missing a mother who loved unconditionally. A mother who gave up dreams for me. A mother who gave me a voice and taught me to use it. A mother that believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. A woman who above all else wanted nothing more in life than to be my mother.
Mom was fulfilled being a wife and mother. That didn’t mean that she didn’t have dreams. She wanted to get a college degree and she was only 3 credits away from her associates. I was lucky enough to go to college with my mom and we took many courses together. I loved hearing her take and opinions on what we learned and sharing mine with her. Often they coincided but at times they were opposing. We both took that in stride and respected each other’s side even if it really frustrated us.
She dreamed of helping people. She loved psychology. She wanted to learn and understand what made people tick and could be quite empathetic. She wanted to help people learn about themselves and help them through their issues. She dreamed of being a social worker or therapist.
She was an amazing artist. She crafted so many lovely items for people from several different mediums. She loved ceramics, crocheting, macrame, etc. if it was a craft she was interested and wanted to try. Many of us are honored to have items she lovingly hand crafted for us.
While she didn’t get to achieve all her dreams, because like most of us life gets in the way, she still felt satisfied with what she did accomplish. Forging bonds of love with all those she held dear.
Even though her heart may have been weakened physically, her spiritual heart was as big and as strong as ever. She gave love freely and without strings. I know I’m not the only one that misses her but today hurts more than the others because I can’t celebrate it with her. She is forever loved and forever missed.