Constance "Connie" Manella

Constance "Connie" Susan Lacey Manella, age 74, passed away on June 26, 2024 in Gulfport, Mississippi. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Greg Manella; parents, Wilma B. Goetz Lacey Thompson and Donald Atherton Lacey; stepfather, Stewart R. Thompson; brothers, Donald Austin Lacey and David A. Lacey; sister, Diane Jean "Jeanie" Clinton; and brother-in-law Bert. 

She is survived by her siblings Ellen F. Lacey, William E. Lacey (Carol), Vicki L. Carter (Don), Phyllis E. Dew (Kent), Donna A. Thomas (Steve), Jeffrey S. Thompson (Rachelle), Patricia R. Patmore, Beverly A Thompson, and Mary F. Thompson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones. 

Connie never “worked “at a normal 9-5 job. She was diagnosed with polio at the tender age of 18 months. However, this physical cripplingly of her anatomy never stopped her from her pursuit of finding and enjoying all the wonderous gifts in life that God has created. Connie was a devoted Christian all her life. She was a former member of the Church of the Good Shepard, and later attended Kittiwake Baptist Church with her husband Greg.

In spite of her disabilities, Connie was a High School graduate, and she went on to achieve a B.S. in Special Education. She and Greg were avid volunteers at the Long Beach, Mississippi YMCA. They also enjoyed witnessing for God, gardening, fishing and stamp collecting.

Connie’s family and friends alike all admired Connie for how fiercely determined she was to live life on her own terms while still volunteering to help others when and wherever she could.

She is at peace.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport is serving the family.