Kenneth Newton Manuel (Kenny) was born on October 13, 1937. He fell asleep in death at the age of 79 on Monday, October 17, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family.
He leaves behind his wife, Ruth Manuel; two daughters Terry Myers (Lewis Myers) and Laure Carter; two granddaughters, Danielle and Dawn; two grandsons, Stephen and Andrew; four great-grandchildren Cory, Hailee, Makayla, and Mary; his sister Anna Lee Post (Bob Post) and brother John Manuel (Linda Manuel); in addition to many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Anna Lee Manuel.
Ken was very proud of the property of land that was given him by his parents when he was a young man. He organized the construction of his house on that property and he did much of the work himself.
Kenny’s favorite time was working alongside his father Ben Manuel at the Rock Quarry, and operating a construction crane. He worked at other jobs such as the William A. Hazel Construction Company, Virginia Department of Transportation and he retired from the Merrifield Post Office, where he enjoyed working with his nephew, Tommy Post, with whom he had a special bond.
Kenny was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on November 11, 1973. He served as an elder in the North Warrenton Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses until his health prevented him from continuing to serve. Kenny loved to share the Bible’s message of better conditions for the future with as many people as possible.
He thought the world of his brother Johnny and sister Anna Lee. Johnny visited him weekly over the past three months of his illness and he reminded Kenny of the many stories from their growing up. Like the story about when Johnny took Dad’s new car without asking and when as youngsters they rolled down the hill in barrels. Sister Anna Lee and nephew Tommy visited regularly trying to help us perk him up.
Kenny loved his family dearly. He also loved his spiritual brothers and sisters and was always willing to help them in any way that he could, and talked about how much he loved them right up until his death. There were many that he called his sons and grandchildren.
As everyone knows, Kenny was very expressive, both in word and facial expressions. His bravery, warm and wonderful personality showed through until his death.
Kenny was an energetic person, greeting friends with a firm handshake and he loved being outdoors, working in the yard and driving his tractor; no matter how much snow fell, he wanted to be outside.