Manuela "Nellie" Elias Crowell

Funeral Mass for Mrs. Manuela Elias Crowell, 93, of West Monroe, LA, will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 20, 2020, at St. Paschal Catholic Church in West Monroe, LA, with Fr. Frank Coens officiating. Interment will follow Walnut Grove Cemetery in West Monroe.

Manuela Elias Crowell was born in Toyah, TX in 1927. Her parents Juan and Isabel Elias immigrated from Mexico and became U.S. citizens in 1920. Manuela was raised in Ysleta, TX, a small community near El Paso, TX. At the age of 22, while working at the “Red Mill” restaurant in El Paso, she was swept off her feet by a young air force service man stationed at the nearby Fort Bliss AFB (Air Force Base). She was happily married to Raymond Crowell for the next 46 years, 14 of those as a military wife. Her husband Raymond gave her the nickname “Nellie”, the name by which many people know her by today. Manuela raised and loved Raymond’s two children from a previous marriage, Lonna and Donna, as her own children. Together, Raymond and Manuela had four children. Julie and Anita were born in Casablanca Africa at the Nouasseur AFB. Raymond was born at the Little Rock AFB in Little Rock, Arkansas and Ronald the youngest was born at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, Louisiana. After her husband Raymond retired from the Air Force they settled down in the Woodlawn Community where she lived for the rest of her life. Manuela was a member of St. Paschal Catholic Church for many years and was a devoted Catholic. She also attended church with her husband who was of the Methodist Protestant faith. Mrs. Nellie worked in the cafeteria at St. Paschal’s School for 15 years. She was recognized by those who attended the school as the reigning and undefeated arm wrestling champion.

Manuela was a hard worker who was devoted to her family and God. She not only took care of her husband and kids but also feed cows, worked a garden, drove a tractor, canned fruits and vegetables and would even skin a squirrel if need be. She also found time to cook for bible camp, an annual Methodist church event, and help out at both the Catholic and Methodist churches. She was devoted to the Lord with all her heart and soul. At the age of 69, Mrs. Nellie was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and not long after, her husband Raymond passed away. Manuela, while grieving for the loss of her husband, also endured bladder removal surgery and a very difficult recovery. She never gave up the will to live, as she said later, because she promised the Lord she would take care of her children and grandchildren.

Manuela Elias Crowell had a very strong relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She always gave credit to the Lord for all the good things that happened to her during her life. She had a determined conviction to raise her children and grandchildren in the Christian faith. Her faith in God was evident and exemplified by the way she lived her life, by her devotion to her husband, and by the love she conveyed to her children and grandchildren. Many will miss her here on earth, but truly heaven has gained a wonderful soul.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond A. Crowell; and brothers, Francisco Elias and Lorenzo Elias.

Survivors include her children, Julia Sanderson and husband Richard, Anita Wilson and husband Brad, Raymond Crowell, II and wife Kathy, and Ronald Crowell and wife Frankie; stepdaughters, Dr. Carol Norton and husband Byron, Donna Smith and husband Cecil, and Lonna Crowell; brother, Onesimo Elias and Lupe; twenty-one grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Sanderson, Adam Sanderson, Clinton Wilson, Travis Crowell, Stewart Pommier, and Dr. Chris Wilson. Honorary Pallbearer will be Dusty Murphy.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Thursday, November 19, 2020, at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe.

The family sends special thanks to Natalie Ward, Jennia Adams, Pastor Ricky Baker and all of the staff of Louisiana Hospice. The family would also like to thank Fr. Frank Coens and the staff of St. Paschal Catholic Church.