Claire Reese Manchaca recently graduated from Caney Creek High School. She and some friends were in the Texas Hill Country when the flooding hit.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A Conroe ISD graduate was among those who died in the catastrophic Texas Hill Country flooding over the Fourth of July weekend.
Claire Reese Manchaca, 21, was with three friends in the Hill Country when the devastating flooding hit.
After an extensive search, Manchaca’s body was found on Monday.
On Wednesday, she was returned to Conroe to be laid to rest. All five Montgomery County constable precincts sent deputies to Kerrville to escort Manchaca’s body back home.
“I want to thank all of our constables for answering the call and providing some comfort to the family during this difficult time,” Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said in a post on social media.
First responders and neighbors lined the streets to pay their respects as the convoy passed by.
“With all the people, the escort, the motorcycles, the two trucks, it just demonstrates the heart of the people of Montgomery County,” Keough told KHOU 11.
Manchaca was a 2022 graduate of Caney Creek High School who lit up every room she walked into, friends say.
“I just remember you always knew when Reese was in the building because she stood out, because she was exactly who she was,” family friend JLyn Jackson said.
“She was not afraid to go on her own path, she wore fun outfits, she won two senior superlative awards,” Tracy Underwood, another family friend, said. “She just was very loved by a lot of people.”
Underwood and Jackson, both Caney Creek teachers and close friends of Reese’s mom, were devastated when they heard the news.
“I was just overwhelmed with grief for Miro and for her family,” Jackson told us. “Regardless if you knew Reese or were friends with her family, you’re aware of what’s going on and you’re feeling the grief and the frustrations, sadness and desperation.”
To honor Reese’s memory and support her family, they launched the “Forever Reese” tribute shirt, featuring angel wings, a halo, and her favorite colors.
The shirts were donated and more than 200 were sold in less than 24 hours.
“It really just kind of spoke to people’s hearts because this is so close to home,” Underwood said. “I just pray that anyone kind of feels her spirit when they’re wearing their Forever Reese t-shirt.”
They hope to sell all 500 shirts and raise $10,000.
They hope Manchaca’s family feels the love of the entire community.
“If there’s ever anything that you need, we are here, we are your Panther family,” Underwood said.
Manchaca and her longtime friends from Beaumont were celebrating the holiday weekend in a cabin near Hunt that was swept away by floodwaters.
Ella Cahill’s body was found on Tuesday night, and Joyce Badon was found on Monday. Aiden Heartfield, Cahill’s boyfriend, was still missing as of Wednesday evening.
Latest on deadly Texas flooding
- At least 111 confirmed dead across Central Texas after July 4 floods
- 161 people are missing
- More than 1,000 volunteers are assisting in ongoing search operations
- Some camps evacuated early, others received no warning due to poor cell service
- Drone collision with rescue helicopter halts part of the search