Theresa E. Manning Sealey

“For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;

And his truth endureth to all generations.” ~ Psalm 100:5

Theresa Euphemia Manning Sealey was born on November 25, 1933 to (the late) Gilbert Edward Manning and Beryl B. Oxley in Gatun, Canal Zone in the Republic of Panama. Theresa, better known as “Phema”, loved sports from an early age.  While attending Gatun High School, she played softball for the school team.  She later received her high school diploma with a concentration in Economics. Right after graduating, she met Rupert Christopher Sealey, better known as “Logical”, and they later married.  From their union, she gave birth to five children: Alfredo, Antonio, Hortencia, and (the late) Angela and Raul.

On February 8, 1985, Phema migrated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York in 1987.  Inspired by her father, (the late) Gilbert Manning, Phema started attending church services on Sundays.  By 1990, she was baptized at Emmanuel Church of God in Brooklyn.  As an active member of her church, she earned the title of “Mother Sealey”.  Phema worked as a housekeeper for several years, and was loved and respected by her employers.

Phema loved and devoted her entire life to her five children, as well as serving the Lord.

She leaves behind beautiful memories that will forever be cherished by her entire family, including her children: Alfredo, Antonio and Hortencia; her grandchildren: Freddy, Jacqueline, Amarelis, Kimberly, Elizabeth and Antonio, Jr.; three great-grandchildren: Xavier, Natalie and Karter; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Phema will be truly missed, but will also be remembered for her sense of style, her wisdom, and her sassy talk, including one of her many sayings: “Your smartness is going to turn to nastiness”.  Most importantly, Phema will be remembered as woman full of integrity, and for her capacity for never giving up.

Grandmother

"I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday, and the days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name,

 All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part.

God has you in His arms; I have you in my heart."

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