Vanmany Thongsouk

Vanmany Thongsouk 陳美金 Chen Mei Jin วรรณมณี วีระกุล, 86, was a retired entrepreneur, widow, mother and mother-in-law to five loving children and their spouses, grandmother to seven beloved grandchildren, a loyal sibling of three brothers, one sister, and esteemed sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, and relative to many in various countries including Thailand, Laos, Canada, France and more. Vanmany was born in Ubon, Thailand, and grew up in the historic town of Muang Kao at the bank of the Mekong river, where her China-born parents traded herbs and grains, and operated a famous rice liquor brewery. Her marriage to the love of her life, Hong Suthat Veerakul, set the trajectory for a move to Pakse, then later on Vientiane to operate a popular fine-imported product store and several movie theaters. Eventually, under political unrest in the region, the family moved to Ubon, and then Bangkok in 1975. An Asian American success story, Vanmany and her late husband, Hong, then in their mid 40s and concerned for their children’s higher-education opportunities, migrated to the United States with four teenagers and a toddler in tow, leaving behind their businesses in Thailand and Laos which had been upended by Vietnam War in the mid 1970s․ From 1981 on, Georgia was their adopted home. "ArMah Vanmany" was blessed to have enjoyed seeing her children and her pride-and-joy grandchildren grow up near and around her. Weekend dinners, family gatherings for birthdays, American and Asian festivals and other traditions- especially the annual beach vacation- oftentimes featuring her legendary cooking, were events where everyone always looked forward to seeing her. Her travels throughout the US, Europe, and Asia gave her a sweeping perspective of the world, but she still maintained the humble traditionalism of her youth. Her roots informed the strict discipline in which she prepared food and upheld ceremonial practices during occasions like ancestral memorial services, Thai and Chinese festivals, Buddhist events and hosting out-of-town visitors. Vanmany was a worldly woman with a renowned sense of righteousness and fairness. She was proficient in two Chinese dialects- Mandarin and Teochew-, Thai, Lao, and had basic proficiency in English and Spanish. She took pride in her right to vote and was an active participant in American elections. Above all, she was a woman with a wonderful sense of humor and deep love for her family, expressed most outwardly with her grandchildren. The memories of her many acts of love to us, small and large, are the ones we will miss the most. Please see details below for upcoming ceremonies honoring Vanmany's life. Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 6PM Friday, September 9, 2022 at 6PM Thai Temple Wat Buddhabucha, 3094 Rainbow Dr, Decatur, GA 30034 Buddhist Ceremonies will be performed at the Thai Temple Wat Buddhabucha. Dinner will follow the ceremonies on both days. Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 1:45PM Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA 30075. The Funeral Service and Cremation will be performed at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory. No refreshment service. *Masks will be provided. Black attire is optional.

Vanmany Thongsouk

December 15, 1935 - September 6, 2022