Melba Heartsill Keene

Melba Heartsill Keene, 97, a resident of Lapine, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18th, 2026, in Crenshaw Community Hospital following a stroke. A graveside service for Melba will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, January 21st, in Rocky Mount Cemetery with Brother Bubba Taylor officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. Family and friends will meet in the cemetery at the service time.

Melba was born on cusp of the Great Depression only to enter her teens as the world endured a second great war, but as a part of the Greatest Generation, she learned the kind of strength and resilience that can only be forged in the fires of struggle and hardship. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Margaret's School of Nursing and was subsequently hired by the hospital itself where she worked as a surgical nurse until her retirement in 1990.

In her free time, Melba took every opportunity she had to immerse herself in the great outdoors, whether it was fishing, hunting, or gardening, as long as it kept her out in the beauty of God's creation, she was happy. Inside, you could often find her huddled over one of her favorite word search puzzle books because she always liked to keep her mind active or keeping a watchful eye on the ever-changing weather in Alabama by way of the Weather Channel. But her favorite activity in the world was the time she was blessed to spend with her beloved grandsons and great-granddaughters who also cherished their "Granny Keene" as the blessing she was to their lives. From her, they learned the importance of strength of will and knowing your own mind in this crazy world. Above all, they learned the character-building value of unconditional love and support.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Robert & Callie Mae Bowden Heartsill, and siblings, Marguerite Conway, Mirriam McGough, Robert Heartsill Jr, and Nolan Heartsill. She is survived by her beloved daughter and son-in-law, Beverly "Tiny" & Mickey Kilcrease; grandsons, Zach Kilcrease and Pat (Emily) Kilcrease; great-granddaughters, Adley & Anistyn Kilcrease; brother, Randall Heartsill; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.