Willie Musette Manasco

Funeral services for Willie Musette Manasco will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. J. D. McNeal and the Rev. Tommy O’Con. Music will be provided by Diane Weeks. Interment will follow at Central Cemetery in Robeline. Mrs. Manasco was born March 25, 1918, in Sabine Parish. She entered into rest at the Courtyard of Natchitoches Nov. 21, 2010. Mrs. Manasco was the oldest of 11 children born to Henry M. Simmons and Virginia Dare Dowden Simmons. She left school after completing the sixth grade to unite in marriage to Julius Monroe Manasco. That union lasted 31 years. Through the years, Mrs. Manasco’s dream was to complete her education. After Mr. Manasco’s passing, and 45 years after being out of school, she decided to attend adult education classes at Robeline High School. There, after completing her studies, Mrs. Manasco received her high school diploma at age 61. Mrs. Manasco had a great love of the outdoors. She loved gardening, quilting, canning and her beautiful flowers. Mrs. Manasco was an humble, gentle woman whose love of God and her family meant everything. She was a member of Robeline United Pentecostal Church and served as secretary for 40 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; son, Ernie Wayne Manasco; great- grandson, Julius Bryce Andrew Manasco; five sisters, Stella Slaid, Myrtle Jennings, Jessie Smith, Dessie Woodel and Lillie Heister; and three brothers, Dock Simmons, Ray Simmons and Kirk Simmons. Those left to honor her memory are her son, Bobbie Manasco and wife Wafa of Robeline; three grandchildren, Andy Manasco and wife Alyssa and Caleb Manasco, all of Robeline, Karen Manasco White and husband Michael of Natchitoches; daughter-in-law, Rose Conlay and husband G.W. of Natchitoches; two great-grandsons, Eric Mitchell of Robeline and Bruce Mitchell of Natchitoches; three great-great-grandchildren, Morgan and Sawyer Mitchell of Robeline and Chandler Mitchell of Natchitoches; two brothers, Hubert Simmons and wife Burma of Natchitoches and Burke Simmons and wife Kathy of Provencal; and a host of friends. Even though she was biologically the grandmother of three, she was grandmother to all of Wafa’s family, who all affectionately called her, “MaMaw Music.” She was loved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Billy Weeks, Roger Howell, Michael White, Reese Stephens, Larry Wade Jr. and Darren Simmons. The family wishes to thank each and every one of you for the food, flowers, cards, visits, phone calls, your prayers, thoughts, your touch and concern. May you find comfort in the enduring beauty of God’s world and in the warmth of happy memories. With the passing of time, may the spirit of acceptance and inner peace enfold you.