Melanie Jayne Keffer was born on April 9, 1960 in Merced, California. She was the first child of Edward Jay Blaum and Lovie Kathleen Thompson Blaum.
Melanie studied interior design at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She married James David Keffer, Sr., on June 21, 1986 in Decatur, Alabama. Her dream of having a large family came true with the birth of two daughters and two sons. She considered her most important job to be an excellent wife and mother.
Melanie was a woman of strong faith, a determined wife and mother, a woman of action, a dynamic entrepreneur, a talented artist and craftswoman, an inspiring motivator, and a patient teacher. She enjoyed reading good mystery books, spending time with her family, simple country living, decorating her home, and listening to southern gospel music. She had a unique grace and undying love for her southern heritage. Her love for Jesus Christ was evident in everything she did.
Melanie lost her three-year battle with cancer on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Southaven, Mississippi. She was fifty-seven years old.
Melanie is survived by her husband David, her daughters Kathleen Abbott and Karoline Lee, her sons James David Jr. (“Maverick”) and Matthew Houston, her mother, her younger sister Victoria Lee Blaum Piette and brother in law Christopher Jon Piette, and her nephew Jonathan Edward Piette.
Services for Melanie will be at 11:00AM Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Brother David Cross and her children officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00PM on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.
