Margaret Vance O’Keefe
Published 10:16 am Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Margaret Vance O’Keefe, 91, died on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, in Batesville.
Margaret was born on Sept. 20, 1925, in Batesville, to the late Olivia Hare Vance and John David Vance. She was a life-long resident of Batesville, sharing close friendships with many over the years. She was a loyal and active member of Batesville First United Methodist Church for over 80 years, serving with numerous groups and committees, as well as countless informal roles supporting her church and community. She was a member of the James Gilliam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and took great pride in her family and heritage. Margaret taught school at Batesville Elementary School, but retired from teaching many years ago to spend more time with her family. She was one of the earliest members of the Batesville Woman’s Club, the Batesville Garden Club and she and Maurice were among the founding members of Panola Country Club. She was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority, and an Ole Miss Beauty.
She is survived by her daughter, Shellie O’Keefe Harrison of Oxford, , and her son, Maurice Rush O’Keefe, Jr. (Julia) of Memphis, Tennessee. She also leaves six grandchildren: Vance Clayton Harrison (Dena) of Lakeland, Tennessee; William Christopher Harrison (Sharon) of Memphis, Tennessee; Cecil Perrin Harrison, lll (Tripp) (Heather) of Alpharetta, Georgia; Caroline Vance O’Keefe of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Olivia Claire O’Keefe of Memphis, Tennessee; and Maurice Rush (Reece) O’Keefe, III of Memphis, Tennessee; as well as seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Maurice Rush O’Keefe; her parents; and her two brothers, Shelton Brooks Vance and John David Vance, Jr.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Batesville. Interment will follow in Batesville Magnolia Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the church on Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time at 2:30.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Batesville First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 797, Batesville, MS 38606, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Dickins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.