Ms. Barbara Jean (Gillespie) Manuel

Barbara Jean Gillespie Manuel, the youngest of four daughters, was born, December 20, 1935, to the late Reverend Samuel Allen and Mrs. Izola Jones Gillespie in DeQuincy, Louisiana. Barbara was baptized at an early age by Rev. Grove at Evergreen Baptist Church in DeQuincy, LA. Her father later became pastor of this church and remained there until his death.

She attended grade school and high school in DeQuincy, graduating valedictorian in the first high school graduating class at Grand Ave. High School. She displayed a gift of music at a young age. After high school, she attended Grambling State University where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Education in 1958. She was an honor student, a member of the marching band, symphonic band, and choir during her undergraduate years, and pledged, or “walked the line,” Delta Sigma Theta National Sorority, Inc. She also attended Prairie View A&M University in Texas where she completed various teaching Certifications and obtained her Master’s in English and Reading. She taught music, English, and reading at schools in Louisiana and Texas.

Barbara accepted Christ at a young age. She played the organ and piano for several churches including her father’s church, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Louisiana, and East Park Baptist Church where she served as Senior Musician and Choir Director. In 1994, she became a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and was an active participant in the Sanctuary Choir, Street Ministry, and Sunday school.

Upon moving to Houston, Texas, she began her teaching career. She worked as Teacher and Department Head for various schools including Bruce Elementary, Francis Scott Key Junior High, Kashmere Gardens High school teaching reading, writing, spelling, music (Piano, organ, and Flute), and managing the student choir. She also worked at Jefferson Davis High School where she taught General Studies, English, reading and writing, spelling, and music. She also taught Special Education where she worked with at risk youths who had learning and developmental challenges. After 45 years of teaching, she retired from Francis Scott Key Junior High School as the Department Head of Special Education and assisting the Coaching staff with student discipline and managing education curriculums.

Music and singing were her passions. She spent many hours playing classical, symphony, blues, and soul music on her piano and organ at home and in the church. She played by ear and could listen to a song and sit at the piano and duplicate what she heard. She also loved games such as horse shoes, badminton, charades, cards, and dominoes.

She leaves to cherish her life and memory, three daughters Kim Manuel-Williams (husband Leo J. Williams III), Sheila LaJeune Manuel, and Karen Dawn West Wilrich, three granddaughters, Ashley Donje’ Bennett, Kiara Monet’ Bennett, and Amber Simone Wilrich-Kwelle (husband William Kwelle), and a step daughter Cynthia Marie West. She was preceded in death by her three sisters, Vivian Gillespie Toussan, Lula Ruth Gillespie-Placide, and Ernestine Gillespie-Holt, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.