Almanique Jacquet Somers (nee Walton), known to her loved ones as Alma, passed
away on May 22, 2024, in San Diego, California, at the age of 81. She was born on
September 9, 1942, in Bay City, Texas. Almanique graduated from Bay City High School and went on to earn a B.S. in Speech, Hearing, and Drama from Tennessee State University (TSU), as well as an M.Ed. from the University of Florida at Gainesville. While attending TSU, Almanique pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and met and married James M Jacquet, M.D. (divorced 1995).
Throughout her career, Almanique was a trailblazer. She established the first learning disability clinic in San Diego and held the position of Director of Group Sales Marketing
at Travel wise International. In 2003, she founded her own fashion design business, OM
By A, which grew into an international enterprise catering to prestigious clients such as
the Winter Olympics, Harrod’s of London, and various major television shows. In her
final years, she dedicated herself to creating a spiritual healing and conference center in
Costa Rica called “The Gathering at the Sanctuary”.
Almanique is survived by her husband Thomas Haddon Somers, her brother Aeric
Walton, her sons; James III and Jeffrey Jacquet, and her stepson Luke Somers.
She was preceded in death by her mother Lou Verna Stevens and father Ben Ephram.
A memorial service to honor Almanique’ s life will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024,
from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Anderson-Ragsdale Chapel, 5050 Federal Boulevard, San
Diego, CA 92102. The Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary in San Diego, California, is
assisting with the arrangements.
