Wilma Helen Hamlett Manuel

Wilma Helen Hamlett Manuel, 78 of Batesville died Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at her home. She was born January 12, 1938 at Cave City, Arkansas to Homer and Maud Montgomery Hamlett. She was a retired school teacher having taught 3rd grade at Oil Trough and was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Batesville. Wilma Hamlett married Kenneth Manuel December 10, 1955 at Allen’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. Kenneth accepted the call to the ministry in 1960 after serving God with Wilma most of their young lives. The family went to Nashville to attend Bible College. They ministered at the churches at Bethel and New Home. Wilma blessed the ministry using her talent for music, piano and teaching children. They ministered at the FWB Church in West Batesville and established a children’s church ministry. Through the years they partnered to re-open, establish and participate in many of the FWB churches in this area. They reopened Weaver’s Chapel with Lonnie Clark, established the church at Quail Valley with Lonnie Palmer, and ministered with the children’s church at Allen’s Chapel. Upon retiring, they continued to minister at a local nursing home teaching and providing inspirational music. Wilma made an impact throughout her life doing God’s work and teaching children. She was rewarded with a family that loved her until the end. She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Kenneth Manuel of the home; son, Randy Manuel of Batesville; daughters, Linda Colleen Tolleson of Batesville and Sandy McGehee of Hernando, Mississippi; brother, Ray Hamlett of Ada, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Shane Manuel, Eric McGehee, Robert McGehee, Elizabeth Branscum and Jessica Windland; great grandchildren, Carley Branscum and Kaiden Windland and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Batesville with Bro. Ben Ryan officiating. Burial will follow in the Egner Cemetery at Salado with arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service. Visitation will be Friday, November 11, 2016 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Bradley Windland, Peyton Branscum, Sky Clark, Shane Manuel and David Cartwright. Honoraray pallbearer is Ronnie Manuel.