CONROE, Texas – The Conroe community gathered at the Lone Star Convention Center Friday evening to honor Claire “Reese” Manchaca.
Reese was camping with three other friends when they were all swept away during the Texas Hill Country flood on July 4.
A memorial service was held on Friday night to remember the Conroe native who was in her senior year of studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Manchaca, 21, a Conroe native, was known for her bright smile and passion for architecture.
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw presented the family with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Manchaca’s memory.
“She was the best of us,” Crenshaw said during the ceremony. “You can tell that merely from meeting the family.”
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick also attended the service, presenting the family with a Texas state flag to honor Manchaca’s memory.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough also spoke at the service, noting Reese’s popularity at Caney Creek High School, where she was voted Miss Caney Creek and Best Dressed.
The service, which included traditional bagpipe renditions of “Amazing Grace,” drew to a close as attendees walked outside to see a double rainbow stretching across the Conroe sky.
Manchaca was camping with three friends when rising flood waters swept them away. None of the campers survived the incident.
A family pastor offered words of comfort to the mourners: “We do agree, we are sad for the loss of our loved one, and we will mourn,” he said. “But we know that Reese is fine, she is well.”
