Rachel Anne Manuel Abadie, 51, of Lake Charles died Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 while vacationing in Costa Rica.

She was a native of Grand Lake where she was raised and educated. A graduate of Grand Lake High School, where she was a talented athlete, active member and participant in many areas: Sweet Sixteen Basketball Team, 400 Meter State Track Champion (setting the state record), 4-H, SADD (Students Against Drunk Drivers, Yearbook Club, Student Council, Junior Beta, Beta, FBLA (Future Business Leader of American), AGATE (A Gifted and Talented Education) YCA (Young Christian Athletes) and CYO (Catholic Youth Organization). Rachel was not only athletic, but she was also beautiful and intelligent, representing her Class as Miss Grand Lake and Salutatorian.

She graduating Summa Cum Laude with Bachelor in Elementary Education within three years and was nominated 1st Year, Teacher of the Year Award while at T.S. Cooley. She was a Science teacher at S.J. Welsh Middle School for nine years and was later elected to serve one term for the Cameron Parish School Board. Once retired from the teaching system, she continued to contribute to the Grand Lake Community and its students.

She was of Catholic faith, attended St. Mary of the Lake and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

She survived by Brennan André Abadie of Lake Charles; son, Brennan Alexander Abadie of Big Lake; mother, Mary Helen Manuel of Lake Charles; sister, Mary LaCasse (Thomas) of Lake Charles.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lee Manuel.

A Mass of Christian burial was held Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Monsignor James Gaddy officiated. Following the Funeral Mass, a Celebration of Life Reception was held in the Fellowship Hall of Sale Street Baptist Church.