Matsie Lee O'Keefe

Matsie Lee O’Keefe, 94, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 1, 2021.  A long-time resident of Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Matsie was born in Fayette, Alabama on October 20, 1926 to the late George Luther and Soloma Rainey Otts.  She grew up in Fayette, Alabama.  She moved to Pensacola her senior year and graduated from Pensacola High School, Pensacola, FL.

She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a great-great grandmother as well as a great friend to so many people.

Matsie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ralph O’Keefe, siblings: Veneria Hocutt, Amy Otts, Orie Otts, Edna Butler, Marion Otts, Katie Fowler, Raple Henson, GL Otts Jr and Betty Jane Otts, sons; Ronald O’Keefe and Stephen O’Keefe.

Matsie is survived by daughter, Diane (Tom) Sisk of Fort Walton Beach, FL, son, Edward Terrell O’Keefe of Fort Walton Beach, FL, daughters-in-law, Amy O’Keefe of Destin, FL, Commie Odom of Carthage, TX, 7 grandchildren, James (Michelle) Sisk of Navarre, FL, Stephanie O’Keefe (Bart) of Pace, FL, Jessica (Matt) Beste of Carthage, TX, Tanner, Brooke and Whitney O’Keefe of Destin , FL, Stacey Britton of Carthage, TX; 12 great grandchildren, Alannah Capps of Navarre, FL, Caitlyn Stacy (Gage) of Crestview, FL, Killian Arnold of Navarre, FL, Terri Coffin and Kaylyn Reaves of Navarre, FL, Makenzie Rutherford, Jayslon Moore-Kirkland and Anthony Moore of Pace, FL, Devon Hardie, Ashton Raabe, Dawton and Slayton Pierce of Carthage, TX; three great-great grandchildren, Melody Hurlbert and Elijah Shiner of Crestview, FL and Achilles Arnold of Shelton, WA; sister, Hazel Meder of Columbia, SC and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and great nieces and nephews.

Matsie met her husband, Ralph, in New Orleans, LA while a student nurse studying at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and he was in the Navy.  They were married on 5 July 1946 in Elkton, MD.

As a military wife she traveled along with her husband to several duty stations in the states and England. 

She retired from government civil service as an administrative assistant.

She loved to garden and was often found working in her yard.

Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren were the light of her life.

Matsie moved with her husband to Fort Walton Beach area in October 1980.  She was a member of Mary Esther United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be Saturday, 20 February 2021 at Mary Esther United Methodist Church from 10 until 11 AM with a memorial service to follow with Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes officiating.  Inurnment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL at a later date.

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