November 7, 1935 ~ January 8, 2023
87 Years Old
Obituary
Funeral services for Ruth Manchack, 87, of Nacogdoches will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Monsignor James Young officiating. Interment will follow at Lazarine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Laird Funeral Home with a Rosary beginning at 7pm.
Ms. Manchack passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023 in Henderson. She was born on November 7, 1935 in Nacogdoches.
Growing up in East Texas, and living near Fern Lake, afforded Ruth many opportunities to learn all the things young ladies needed to be a respectful, accomplished, independent woman. She attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and was taught the love of Jesus and carried that belief and dedication to The Lord throughout her life. Even in the last year of her life, while in Henderson, Ruth continued receiving communion every week, provided by Pat Fountain from St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Her family was of utmost importance to her and she loved them with all her heart. She was loyal, kind, giving and the most non-judgmental person you would ever meet. Her love of Christ and the church was the most important thing she bestowed upon those closest to her but they also loved and enjoyed her perfection of cooking. She was an outstanding cook and everyone, including her family, neighbors, friends and even some strangers benefited from her talents. She found great joy in gifting food to anyone who would take it and there were always homemade “mini” cat-head biscuits for anyone who came around before noon and were always eaten with her specially prepared bacon! Her biscuits brought lots of attention. For this reason, she made sure to have them to keep everyone coming over to her house. Ruth also achieved the perfect teacakes, banana pudding, and of course, pinto beans and cornbread made a complete meal for all. She was gentle and softspoken but knew that a simple look or sentence of few words could get her point across, never breaking the vision of being a lady. Ruth never drove a car but had a great passion for traveling. She and her “running buddy”, Norma Jean Briley, spent every moment they could making memories as they trekked across East Texas. They shopped, watched bull riding on TV and talked on the phone while doing all of this. Ruth’s skills also included gardening. She had a knack for growing most any flower or pot plant and would share a ”clipping” with whomever asked. She loved Burger King chicken fries, Dairy Queen tacos and on Sunday, Clear Springs fish was her favorite. Ruth was adored by all who knew her and the love she showed everyone around her will especially be missed.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Janice Hamblett and husband, Barry and Janet Russell and husband, Richard; grandson, Erick Russell and wife, Angie; granddaughter, Lora Means and husband, Brian; 5 great grandchildren and a multitude of nieces, nephews and dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Santos & Lillie Manchack; siblings, J.B., Marvin “Grady”, Michael, Melvin Sr. and Ural as well as her best friend and cousin, Norma Jean Briley.
Serving as pallbearers will be Michael D. Manchack, Josh Manchack, Erick Russell, Jay Hyett, Efrain Serrano, Michael A.T. Manchack, Melvin Manchack, Jr. and Brian Means.
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