Melanie Rene' Keels

Melanie Rene’ Keels, 36, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was born on March 14, 1988 in Gulfport, MS and passed away on January 4, 2025 in New Orleans. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Edward James Sr and Maryanne Keels and Wesley Joseph and Mary Ann Ranson.

Melanie grew up in Gulfport and attended St John Elementary and St John High School. She graduated high school in 2006. After graduation, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Melanie worked at a variety of restaurants and pubs there, most notably at “Keg and Barrel” and “4th Street Bar.” Her most recent employment was General Manager of “The Bulldog” in uptown New Orleans. She loved being a part of special moments and events which led to her involvement in event planning. Being in the hospitality industry, she was known for her outgoing and charismatic personality. She never met a stranger and had a heart of gold.

Melanie’s favorite pastime was cooking, especially cooking for others and finding new recipes. Some of her favorites were recipes from her grandmothers, which included Mawmaw Ranson’s Chicken and Dumplings and Mimi Keels’ Chicken Parmesan.

Melanie had a love for animals. She loved to visit the Hattiesburg Zoo and sneak snacks in for them. She even took a job for a short while at a veterinary hospital in New Orleans which she found very rewarding. But her all-time favorite animals were the furry four-legged kind. She has probably reconnected with some of them already like Freckles, Sampson, Rosie, and Brian. Sadly, she leaves behind Samantha (Sam) and James Barnaby (JB).

Melanie is survived by her loving parents, Ed (Candace) Keels of Tampa, FL and Louise (Frank) Wheat of Gulfport, MS; brother, Jamie Keels (Emily Bearor); sister, Kim (Michael) Magan; nieces, Kylie, Macie, Lillyann, Adaline and Maddie (Melanie’s God child); and her loving and supportive partner, Kory Zimmerman. She also leaves behind a host of friends and extended family to cherish her memory. She will forever be young and loved by everyone she touched and her spirit will live on in all who knew her.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Friday, January 24, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (2414 17th Street, Gulfport, MS). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, January 24, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and a Celebration of Life gathering at the church Presentation Hall will follow after the Mass. 

In honor of Melanie and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made at https://gofund.me/cc5e5e78 . The family has begun creating the “Anxiety Call Hotline.” 100% of donations will be used to fund this project where people in Hattiesburg, Mississippi will be able to immediately talk with a counselor when they might feel the helplessness and loneliness of an anxiety attack. Additional information will soon be available at MelanieKeels.com .

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport is assisting the family.