MANYA B. RAWL
Manya B. Rawl, 87, of Houston, passed away March 21, 2023. Manya was born July 31, 1935, in Baton
Rouge, LA, to Ira Eugene and Gertie Mae McMillan Barksdale. She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Hugh B. Rawl, her parents, and her brothers Gerald Lee Barksdale and James Alton “Cowboy” Barksdale. She is survived by her daughters Lisa M. Rawl (and her husband John Kane) and Arlene Rawl Coffman, and her extended family: her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William B. and Nancy Rawl, and nieces and nephews.
Manya grew up in Baton Rouge in a family that enjoyed travelling, sports, and the great outdoors. She learned to fish, hunt, camp, and how to organize epic car trips at an early age. Manya also, as she loved to say, grew up in construction, helping her father at his construction and plumbing supply businesses. Manya learned how to handle tools and tackle projects, and as she got older, she worked as her father’s secretary and office manager.
Manya graduated with a degree in Home Economics from LSU in 1957. While at LSU, she was a member of
Phi Mu Sorority, did some modeling for local department stores, and also reigned for a season as the Mardi
Gras Queen for The Krewe of Romany.
She met her future husband, Hugh, on a blind date in Baton Rouge, and they were married in December 1958. For the first few years they lived in Baton Rouge, where she worked with her father designing and building their first house, served on the Phi Mu House Corporation, and worked with noted architect A. Hayes Town to plan the Phi Mu House at LSU.
She and Hugh also started their family in Baton Rouge, welcoming their daughters Lisa and Arlene.
A few years later, Hugh’s job with the Humble Oil Company took the family to the New Orleans area for a brief stint, and then on to Houston, where they designed and built a house in Frostwood that that became their home for the rest of their lives.
Manya was a woman of many talents and was never afraid of a challenge. She could hunt and fish with the best, drive a tractor, teach Sunday School, and plan successful fundraising luncheons for her organizations. She had a lifelong love of fiber arts and made numerous handcrafted items for charities. Over the years Manya volunteered with Memorial City General Hospital, the Harris County Agricultural Extension Service, Houston Campfire Girls, the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, the Alexander Love Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and other lineage / genealogical organizations. She also enjoyed working part time at James Avery Jewelry for several years.
Manya’s greatest passion was her family. She was the consummate wife and mother, keeping things running smoothly while
Hugh traveled extensively for work. Manya volunteered at her girls’ schools, coached softball, cooked and baked for family and friends, and helped Lisa and Arlene move multiple times during and after college, all with a great sense of humor and a ready smile. She encouraged her daughters’ interests, built their confidence, and supported them through all the challenges life can send. Manya had an unconditional love for her family and it showed in her every action.
A memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Virginia Harris Cockrell Chapel at Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030. Please feel free to wear colorful attire. A reception will follow the service.
Manya will be laid to rest at the Houston National Cemetery on Friday, April
14, 2023 at 11:00am. Visit www.DettlingFuneral.com if you wish to leave words of condolence for the family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, or to The Manya and Hugh Rawl Air Force ROTC Endowed Grants in Aid – Fund B2585 and mailed to The Clemson University Foundation at PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633.
Manya’s family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the loving care provided to her by Sharona with The Key/Elder Advisory Group, Hailea and the staff at Silverado Hermann Park, caregivers from The Key and Allied Health Services, and the Red Team at Houston Hospice: Dr. Reyser, Dr. Strauch, Crystal, Dan, Edris, Jan, Jodi, and Tiffany.