Joe Robert Manuel

Joe Robert Manuel was born to the union of Joe Manuel and Viletta Askew. He was the oldest of five children. Joe married Catherine Theresa Brady who preceded him in death. Three children were born to this union. In 1989, Joe married Julia Raines and was blessed with nine additional children. Joe spent most of his youth in the gym as a boxer and developed a love of jazz music even traveling with professional jazz musicians on occasion. Joe was a loving husband and father. In caring for his family he completed 35 years at Consolidated Freightways as a Diesel Mechanic. Because of his passion for engines, he continued to work on cars well after retirement in 1987. Joe consistently busied himself helping friends and family with car troubles. Many times filling the garage and lining the streets with cars that needed work. Well past his 70’s and even into his 80’s he had to be pried away from a car, many times working past midnight and in the bitter cold. He was meticulous, not returning a single car until it meet his high standards. Joe Robert Manuel made a life changing decision on August 8, 1959 when he was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His life was guided by faith and godly principles. Brother Manuel preached the good news to family members and those he met, some of whom responded and were baptized. In the late 90’s, Joe had a stroke. Although he recovered, it left him with a noticeable limp. Refusing to give up or slow down, he continued to preach without letup (Acts 5:42), auxiliary pioneering until he was almost 90, even traveling to seldom worked territories. In 2006 at the age of 84, Joe experienced another highlight, traveling to Louisiana to work with the Disaster Relief Committee to help hurricane Katrina victims. Locally, he worked on Regional Building Committee (RBC) projects, even being called to duty on his death bed. Of his 53 years of faithful service to Jehovah, he spent most of this time as a compassionate elder in several congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses where he provided encouragement to the friends and visited the sick. Many fondly remember him for his LOVING spirit, LENTHLY conversations, love of sweets, and LOOOOOOONG prayers. Joe fell asleep in death on Saturday, August 11, 2012, with his wife and many family members by his side. He battled Lung Cancer for six weeks. He was preceded in death by two children, Ralph Manuel and Reubina Wilson; and two siblings, Lavelle Manuel and Joyce Manuel. Joe leaves to cherish his memories his beloved wife, Julia; his children, Richard Manuel (Elizabeth), Donald Rucker (Jean), Ana Daniels (Daryl), Claude Raines (Debbie), Tim Raines (Novena), Clarence Raines (Angela), Dexter Raines, Darrin Raines, Michelle Maddox (Darret) and Ronnie Raines; siblings, Charles Manuel, Hester Smith and Jeanette Robinson; a special friend, Claude Stringer (Kitty); a very close relationship with several of his grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and other very dear friends.

Tributes

Joe Robert Manuel

June 27, 1922 - August 11, 2012