LaMerel Yvonne Monroe Rhame, a longtime resident of Hankamer, Texas, passed away peacefully in Mont Belvieu surrounded by her family on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the age of 98 ½.
LaMerel was born on March 13, 1926, in LeCompte, Louisiana. She was the eldest of seven children born to Archie L. Monroe and Eula Merchant Monroe. She graduated from high school in Glenmore, Louisiana, in 1943 as the valedictorian. On March 21, 1944, she married Kenneth W. Rhame in Sour Lake, Texas. They were married for 46 years until his death in 1990.
LaMerel was a passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. She also enjoyed crocheting blankets for her family and spending time with her loved ones. An avid sports fan, she enjoyed watching Houston Astros and Rockets games on her big screen TV. LaMerel was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Anahuac, where she attended the women’s Bible study group, volunteered for Vacation Bible School, and even went on a mission trip to Mexico with her two granddaughters, Tonya and Toni.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Archie L., James Anthony (JA), Bennie, Ottis Monroe, LaVerne Johnson and Eunice Daniels, her husband Kenneth, her sons John W. and Edwin K. Rhame, her son-in-law Tom G. deGraffenried and her great-grandson Pacey W. Rhame.
LaMerel is survived by her two daughters, Jeneese Kelley of Anahuac and Yvonne deGraffenried of Kingwood, and her two sons, Aubrey R. Rhame and his wife Jeanette of Hankamer, and Joe A. Rhame and his wife Melinda of Anahuac. She also leaves behind 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. In addition, 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 invited to visit with the family beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2024, in the chapel of the First Baptist Church of Anahuac, 405 Magnolia Ave S, Anahuac, TX 77514. A service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Shaun Buser officiating. A burial ceremony will immediately follow at Abshier Cemetery in Devers, Texas, County Road 112.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in LaMerel’s name to the Abshier Cemetery Association, PO Box 232, Hankamer, Texas 77560, or online at abshiercemetery.com.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at SterlingFuneralHome.com.
