LaMerel Yvonne Monroe Rhame, a longtime resident of Hankamer, Texas, passed away peacefully in Mont Belvieu at the age of 98 ½ on Thursday, August 15, 2024, with her family by her side.
LaMerel was born on March 13, 1926, in LeCompte, Louisiana. She was the eldest of seven children of Archie L. Monroe and Eula Merchant Monroe. In 1943, she graduated as Valedictorian of her class from Glenmore, Louisiana. On March 21, 1944, she married Kenneth W. Rhame in Sour Lake, Texas. They were married for 46 years until his passing in 1990.
LaMerel was a passionate outdoorswoman who loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. She also enjoyed making crochet blankets for her family and spending time with loved ones. An avid sports fan, she cherished watching the Houston Astros and Rockets on her big screen TV. LaMerel was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Anahuac, where she participated in the Women’s Bible Study group, volunteered for Vacation Bible School, and even embarked on a missionary trip to Mexico with her two granddaughters, Tonya, and Toni.
She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings Archie L., James Anthony (J.A.), Bennie, Ottis Monroe, LaVerne Johnson, and Eunice Daniels; her husband Kenneth; sons John W. and Edwin K. Rhame; son-in-law Tom G. deGraffenried; and great-grandson Pacey W. Rhame.
LaMerel is survived by her two daughters, Jeneese Kelley of Anahuac, and Yvonne deGraffenried of Kingwood: her two sons, Aubrey R. Rhame and wife Jeanette of Hankamer, and Joe A. Rhame and wife Melinda of Anahuac. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Sherry Liscom and husband Jeff, Revonda Rhame all of Kingsland, Vicky Kelley of Baytown, Tommy Kelley and wife Lisa of Cove, Aubrey Rhame Jr. of New Braunfels, Kenny Rhame and wife Leslie of Cypress, John M. Rhame and wife Erin of Winnie, Tonya Rhame and husband John Cain of Lockhart, Joe A. Rhame Jr. and wife Angelique of Anahuac, Logan Rhame and wife Kaitlin of LaBelle, Kelly deGraffenried and wife Kristen of Magnolia, Toni M. Wilkins of Baytown, and Tifani Morgan of Kingwood. Additionally, LaMerel leaves behind twenty-four great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and sister-in-law Kathy Monroe of Forest Hill, Louisiana.
Friends are welcome to visit with the family beginning at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 19, 2024, in the First Baptist Church of Anahuac’s Chapel, 405 Magnolia Ave S, Anahuac, TX 77514. A service will follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Shaun Buser officiating. A committal and graveside service will commence immediately following at Abshier Cemetery in Devers, Texas, County Road 112.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in LaMerel’s memory to the Abshier Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 232, Hankamer, Texas 77560, or online at abshiercemetery.com.
Condolences can be shared online with the family at SterlingFuneralHome.com.