Brenda Marlene McManus (Craig), 73, of Wallisville, went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2024.

Brenda was born in Freeport, Texas, on June 5, 1951, to the late Joe Arnold & Maryetta Craig.  Growing up near the ocean, she found that one of her loves was admiring God’s mighty power and magnificence while spending countless hours on the beach. She shared that love with family and friends. Brenda met some of her lifelong friends while attending Brazosport High School.  Because she enjoyed school, Brenda participated in all the activities it had to offer.  While attending high school, she was on the volleyball team, the track team, a member of the band, and she especially enjoyed being a majorette strutting down the football field while twirling her baton.  Brenda also graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a major in Education and later received her master's degree in library science from the University of Houston. Brenda worked as an elementary teacher and a librarian for over 33 years.  One of Brenda’s passions was showing children how special and cherished they were.  For many of those children who are adults now and have families of their own, the influence of her compassion and love has profoundly impacted their lives. 

Brenda met the love of her life, Charlie McManus, in 1969 while attending Stephen F. Austin State University. They were happily married for over 53 years and were a true romance story. They both were each other’s best friends and soul mates. Brenda’s greatest joy came from being a mother to Cassi & Mandi, and a grandmother to her five grandchildren – Drew, Meagan, Curt, Jacey, and Donny.  She treasured her time with her grandkids and loved being their Gran, never failing to love and support them in everything they did.

Brenda and her friends were practically inseparable throughout their lives.  She loved hosting parties and always found the perfect gifts to make them feel loved. Whatever activity they were doing, from spending time shopping to visiting around the kitchen table and drinking coffee, they always laughed through it all.

Everyone who knew Brenda knew how much she loved reading. Of course-she was a librarian! She never went anywhere without her Kindle.

She loved and understood the power of words. She knew the power they had to love, which is what she focused her life on—how to love her family, friends, community, and even strangers. But above all her loves, she put her faith in the Lord first.  She received her strength, hope, and love from The Lord.  Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 31:28-30, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.  Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Although we grieve her passing, a greater promise abounds: “To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord,” and we rejoice in that promise as we give thanks and celebrate the life of Brenda McManus, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.  She leaves behind to cherish her precious memory her devoted husband, Charles McManus; her children, Cassi Graves and husband Todd, Mandi Read and husband Mark; 5 grandchildren-Drew, Meagan, Curtis, Jacey, and Donny; brother Lamar Craig, and wife Yami; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of additional family and friends. Her laughter, love of life, and ability to make everyone feel cherished will be sorely missed but never forgotten. If someone were to ask how to describe Brenda best. . . She truly loved!!!

Funeral Services will be held on January 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Old River Baptist Church, 12948 FM 1409, Old River Winfree.  Please come share celebrations of Brenda’s remarkable life with the family prior to the service between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Old River Baptist Church.  Brenda will be laid to rest at 2:30 p.m. at Worthy Cemetery in Liberty.

All who knew Brenda will sadly miss her. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored for contributions to be made in Brenda’s Memory to the Epilepsy Foundation at https://give.epilepsy.com/page/33651/donate/1. Epilepsy affected several members of her family.