MELANIE DENISE KEENE, 49 years of age of the Dry Fork section of Vansant, Virginia, passed away Monday, November 28, 2011 at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia following a courageous battle with cancer and diabetes.  Born in Pike County, KY, she was the daughter of Earl Scott and Lucille McClanahan Keene of Vansant, Virginia.  She was a 1980 graduate of Grundy Senior High School and a 1986 graduate of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.  She was employed for three years in the Buchanan County Administrators Office.  She taught school at Council High School for 19 years and for the past two years at Hurley High School.  She was a part time employee for Grundy Funeral Home for the past 10 years. 

Melanie enjoyed her times with the children that she taught and served as the FBLA sponsor, Yearbook Sponsor, Senior Class sponsor, Cheerleading Sponsor, served as Photographer for Schools, was an excellent baker and worked Ball games for many years.  She was a member of the Heavenly Helpers Relay for Life Team, taught night classes at Southwest Virginia Community College and served on the Board of Directors for Southern Youth in Action, Inc. She was a member of the Vansant Church of Christ.

Melanie is survived by her parents, Earl Scott and Lucille McClanahan Keene of Vansant, VA, 1-Brother: Joseph Steven and his wife Cindy Keene, Hampton, VA, 1-Niece: Amber Lynne Keene, Hampton, VA, Her fiancé: Rufus Craft, Mouthcard, KY. Very special friend: Margo Keene, Grundy, VA

She is also survived by several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins and many students that she taught for 21 years.

Funeral services for MELANIE DENISE KEENE will be conducted Friday, December 2, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with evangelist Mike Rife and Paul Potter officiating with entombment to follow in the Mountain Rest Mausoleum at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home after 6:00 P.M. Thursday evening with a special slide presentation of Melanie’s life shown at 7:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home Chapel.

Active Pallbearers will be Josh Justice, Charlie Cochran, Brett Keene, Phillip Keene, Kirk Ratliff, Jim McClanahan, Rick McClanahan and Michael Rowlett.

Honorary Pallbearers will be John Cooper, Scotty Owens, Billy Jack Fuller, Teachers of Council and Hurley High School and Employees of Grundy Funeral Home.

The family suggests that Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the Heavenly Helpers Relay for Life Cancer team – P. O. Box 1016 – Grundy, Virginia  24614.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.