Saramma J. Manimala

Born to Alexander Eranical and Chachykutty Vazhaparambil in 1935 in Neezhoor, Kerala, India, Saramma was named after her paternal grandmother, Saramma Kelachandra. Being the eldest grandchild of Eranical Achen and born to her parents after five years of marriage, she was fondly called Joykutty by many. Her maternal grandparents were Thachet Thoma and Mary (Vazhaparambil). Her brothers V.C. Kuriakose/Baby (late), V.A. Thomas/Thomachan, V.A. Joseph/Kunjumon (late) and V.A. Alex/Valson (late) were born after her.

It was especially important to her mother that Saramma receive a college education, and that desire was instilled in Saramma. At the tender age of nine, come rain or shine, Saramma started walking seven miles a day to attend middle and high school in Kaduthuruthy. After graduating from school in Kaduthuruthy, Saramma pursued further education, against the wishes of many who believed she should instead marry. Undeterred, she completed her intermediate studies in Tutucorin, Tamil Nadu, and earned a B.Sc in Zoology from Fatima College in Quilon. With this accomplishment she became the first Knanaya woman from Neezhoor to graduate from college. After receiving her B.Sc, Saramma went on to obtain her B.Ed in Trivandrum. This helped set the course of her career as an educator, which had first begun after high school, long before she earned her college degrees.

While at a college tennikoit (ring tennis) tournament in Trichy, her future husband spotted her from afar. Struck by her beauty, he declared to his friends that he would marry her and even made an offering at Velankanni Church! Seven years later, in 1962, Saramma would marry Joseph Manimala, the son of Manimala Chacko Saar and Annamma (Pathyil)! Following her marriage, Saramma taught at St. Michael’s High School in Kaduthuruthy for the next four years.

In 1966, as a mother of two, Saramma embarked on a journey to Zambia, Africa, which she would call home for the next 30 years. During this time, she and Joseph were blessed with two more children. She first worked as a teacher at a Catholic high school in Ibenga and later in nearby Luanshya, where she ended her teaching career. A talented cook and gracious host, Saramma took great joy in preparing meals for her family and guests. Her friends and colleagues eagerly anticipated the food, artful tablescapes, and lively conversations central to her memorable parties.

Saramma had a relentless passion for learning new things and a fierce determination to accomplish any goal she set for herself. Her family and friends cherished the fruits of her labor, which included clothes stitched for her young children, extravagantly decorated cakes, and an endless array of other sweet treats, wines, jams, preserves, achaar, homemade sausages, among many other delicious creations. Saramma loved having a clean, attractive home and delighted in maintaining a beautiful garden. She would collect plant cuttings any opportunity she had! To those who knew her, Saramma was a trusted and loyal friend. She left Zambia deeply indebted to the country and its people.

Saramma was very dedicated to her children and grandchildren and had high expectations for them. She loved her brothers, their families, and her extended family deeply. Saramma spent her retirement years between her home in Thuruthipally and with her children and grandchildren in the United States. Saramma leaves behind her devoted husband of 61 years, her son Reny, her daughters Retty, Reena, and Reeja, her daughter-in-law Betsy, son-in-law Rahul, and grandsons Rohan, Mihir, Jaedon, and Caeleb.

A Wake will be held Friday, October 6, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., immediately followed by a Mass and Funeral Service at Holy Family Knanaya Catholic Church, 3885 Rosebud Rd., Loganville, GA 30052. Lunch will be served in the church hall following the service.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.