Montomgery County Celebrates the Life of Reese Manchaca in touching Memorial Service

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- In a Celebration of Life Memorial Service that had a Godly Presence about it, the family of Reese Manchaca, friends, ordinary Montgomery County citizens, and elected officials gathered at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroe on Friday even, to say goodbye to a cherished member of the community. Reese was tragically swept away by flood waters along the Guadalupe River on the July 4th weekend, along with over 130 other victims, with over one-hundred victims still missing. Montgomery County constables from all precincts took the honor in escorting Reese’s remains back home, along with other organizations and elected officials that joined the motorcade in Kerr County, and others that welcomed her home on the final leg of the trip.

Just looking at the photo montage that ran at the memorial service, one could tell that Reese had already lived a full life, as much as a young adult could have lived. She graduated from Caney Creek High School in 2022, where she was a very popular student. Reese was crowned Miss CCHS, voted Best Dressed, while graduating in the top 10% of her class. She was a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in Architecture and Interior Design, where Manchaca was a Dean’s List student and greatly admired by her professors and fellow students alike.

Jason Millsaps, Chief of Staff to Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, was the Master of Ceremonies. Other elected officials in attendance were Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Congressman Dan Crenshaw, and a representative from Congressman Morgan Luttrell’s, who offered resolutions and American Flags to the family. The invocation was offered by Pastor Wade Phillips, who celebrated Reese and her family's Acceptance of God into their lives last July.

“Reese was the best of us,” said Congressman Crenshaw. “She was loved by everyone and was the light of every room she entered.”

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick afterwards presented a Texas Flag to Reese’s parents, Thomas and Miroslava Stafford, speaking with them at length on bended knee. It was truly a touching moment for all who had gathered.

Many classmates and friends of Miss Manchaca were on-hand from Caney Creek High, in addition to individuals who participated in escorting her body back to Montgomery County.

“Reese was a truly inspiring student at Caney Creek,” said former CCHS student Randi McDonald, an acquaintance. “She was part of the Panther Family.”

Besides constables escorting Reese back to Montgomery, other groups participated as well. Taylor’s Organization, was one of the groups whose purpose is to support its members, Local, County, State and Federal governments, as well as Communities, First Responders, and Veterans.

“I was part of a Taylor’s Organization group that was behind the constables in bringing Reese’s body back home,” said Richard Stone, wearing his Taylor’s Organization vest. “It was a humbling experience, and I was honored to have participated.”

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough thanked those who attended Reese’s Memorial Service, asking them to keep her family in their prayers in their most trying of times. His Celebration of Life message brought out his theological past and struck home the message that Reese’s life was not lost in vain. Keough himself had joined Reese’s motorcade as it entered Montgomery County, right behind the hearse. Keough spoke of healing and closure for the family, and in explaining God’s role as Reese slipped below the waters with her last breath, noting that The Almighty was with her every step of the way.

The Judge relayed in his conversations with the family of her accomplishments, and her strong will to go after life, living it to the fullest. Keough reinforced Reese and her two sister's decision in the summer of last year to be baptized in the Light of God. Reese’s parents asked the Judge to give a biblical statement on the meaning of the floods, and his sermon touched on God’s ability in various ways to allow destruction and death while at the same time saving others. Mysteries that in some ways are beyond us, but understandable to God.

As Keough spoke, a heavy rainshower, one of the few in the area, began pelting the roof of the Lone Star Convention Center, symbolic of tears from the Angels in comforting Reese’s family. He noted Reese’s father’s reaction at the site of her passing, and his powerful interaction with God as he raised his arms to Heaven praising The Almighty.

“Reese is an example to us,” said Keough. “Of turning our lives over to him.”

After the memorial service, attendees, as they exited the convention center, were treated to a rainbow to the east, as if a sign from Reese, saying, “I’m going to be OK.”

Photos