Frances Virginia Manuel, after 93 years of blessed life, went to be with her Lord on February 14, 2025. Born in the humblest of circumstances in the mountains of Rockbridge County near the tiny crossroads of Collierstown on January 28, 1932, she could never have dreamed the adventures and blessings that awaited her beyond the confines of her little valley. She was one of seven brothers and sisters born to Ollie Mckinley and Ida Myrtle Wilhelm. Unfortunately, four of the brothers and sisters died in childhood, and her parents passed away in 1982 and 1981 respectively.

At age 8 she moved to Roanoke with her mom and dad, sister Helen, and brother Frank so her father could find work in construction. She attended Highland Park Elementary, Lee Junior High, and Jefferson High School. Following high school she took her first job at Kay's Ice Cream Parlor, and not long after she met her husband-to-be, Edward "Gus"

Manuel, not yet 21 years old, who moved to Roanoke from Philadelphia after two years in the Marine Corps. In June of 1952 Frances was introduced to Gus while he was driving a city cab. It wasn't long before he proposed. They were married on November 26, 1952.

With restless feet and poor job opportunities in Roanoke, Gus re-enlisted in the Marine Corps where he would find a fulfilling career for the next 22 years. It was during those years that Frances traveled extensively seeing sites never imagined and even privileged to live in Brasil for some years. While in the Roanoke area between her husband's duty stations Frances worked at a number of lunch counters at Woolworth's, J C Penney, and Heironimus. Her Marine husband preceded her in death in 1984, but she found her joy in caring for her family and sharing her compassion with so many others. She was a life-long member of Garden City Baptist.

Frances is survived by her sons Steve and Jim Manuel, her loving daughters-in-law Barbara and Vicky, grandson Jason along with his wife Andrea and their three boys Aiden, Attlee, and Avett and grandson Jeremy along with his children Elijah and Arabella and their mother Lindy. Also remaining are grandchildren Ben and wife Nicole with their children Catalina and Ronan, Ann Kurtz and husband Mel and Katie Davis along with her husband Jacob. Mimi Dreher, a very special niece who lived with Frances and Gus for some years, lives in Ohio while her brother David Dreher is in Roanoke. She also leaves behind her dearest, loving friend of more than seventy years, Frank "Cotton" Hartman of Buchanan who was her constant companion and caregiver for the last many years of her life.

A number of other loving nieces and nephews and their families are scattered about the country. Melodee Tamashiro is in Oklahoma with her husband Charlie, Dougie and Roger Bolt are living in Florida, and Frank Wilhelm and his sister Debbie Socha are in Massachusetts. We wish to thank Gentiva Hospice for their care and support this last year and a half.

We wish to thank Gentiva Hospice for their care and support this last year and a half.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Garden City Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be at a later date.