Margaret Sharon Keith Andresen

Margaret Keith Andresen was born May 3, 1943 at the home place in Biloxi, Mississippi to Robert and Boyd O’Neal Keith. She completed her earthly journey on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the age of 74. Margaret attended schools in Vancleave, Perkinston and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Foreign Languages. She began her teaching career at Moss Point High School in Moss Point and later spent her career teaching French and Spanish at the Jeff Davis campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gulfport. Margaret married Paul Andresen, the love of her life, her soulmate, and her rock in 1967 and they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on February 3, 2017. Wherever life took them and whatever they were doing, Margaret and Paul (or Andy as we know him) were always together. Margaret was a lifelong member of Bonnie Chapel Methodist Church, and she loved the annual week-long gathering at New Prospect United Methodist Campground each October. Margaret would like for everyone to know that her work here is done. She received an offer on Monday, August 21st that she couldn’t refuse for an appointment from which she will not be returning. Her new assignment comes with a huge incentive package ~ a reunion with precious family and friends that she hasn’t seen in a while. Her new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will be socializing, mowing, taking care of everyone and everything and reading to her heart’s content. Music, love and laughter are guaranteed and job security is excellent. Margaret completed her work here just as she wanted, suddenly and doing what she loved, mowing! She worked hard her entire life, up until the very end. Margaret made it clear throughout her life that when her journey ended, she wanted her family and friends to celebrate her mission here, and we know that low adherence to her wishes will not be tolerated. Gathering to greet Margaret as she entered Heaven to begin her new assignment were her father and mother, her sister Elaine Keith, her grandfather, Jim O’Neal, and her brother-in-law Dennis Illich. Left to fulfill Margaret’s wishes and to celebrate her mission is her husband and soulmate, Paul (Andy). Her sister, Judy Illich, her nephew Danny Illich, her nephew David Illich and his wife Lindsay, and her two great nieces Addie and Amelia Illich (who were the light of her life) will be celebrating Aunt Margaret also. Her brother Charles Keith and his wife Cheryl (her favorite sister-in-law), her nephew Robert Keith and his wife Laura, her nephew Kenneth Keith and his wife Kelly, her great nephews Austin Keith, Evan Keith, Hudson Massey and Paul Landry and her great niece Lauren Taylor Massey will also celebrate Margaret’s life. Margaret was a unique and caring individual who touched the lives of all who knew her. We want to let her know that she did a great job here. We will remember her giving heart, her warmth, her energy, and her love for life. What brought Margaret her greatest joy was being with her family. She was happiest when we were together eating, laughing, and visiting. Margaret devoted her life to her family and she will continue to influence our lives. She will also be remembered for her love of her friends, colleagues and students and for making a difference in the lives of many. Her mission here is completed, and we invite you to join us as we celebrate Margaret together. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Bonnie Chapel Methodist Church in Vancleave with a Celebration of Margaret’s life to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Byrd Cemetery. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Margaret to New Prospect United Methodist Campground P.O. Box 5382, Vancleave, MS, 39565 or to Bonnie Chapel Methodist Church. The Vancleave Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.