Isabelle S. Keating

One of God’s remarkable guardian angels joined her husband and our father, Dean Dexter Keating, in eternal life on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Isabelle “Issy” Murph Snelling Keating entered this life on November 21, 1929, born in a humble family home located on 42nd Ave. in west Gulfport. After a brief illness following her 96th birthday, she ascended the stairway to heaven from our family home on Kendall Ave. in Gulfport. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Murdock Murph Snelling and Isabelle Dumas Snelling; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert G. Snelling (Barbara) and Murdock Murph Snelling, Jr. (Charlene); nephew, Forrest Turner Snelling; and her faithful friend and companion, Jack, who, in Isabelle’s later years, toured the streets of Bayou View with his head proudly protruding from the back seat window as her Centurion.

Isabelle a/k/a Grand Issy and/or GG (great grandmother) is survived by her three children, Hugh Dennis Keating (Donna), Angela Beth “Angel” Keating Helms (Terry) and Florence Lynn Keating Barbour (Steve); seven grandchildren, Courtney Erin Keating Whitaker (Jeff), Hugh Dennis Keating, Jr. (Janin), Daniel Dexter Keating (Kayleigh), Keating Clark Helms (Amber), Kevin Michael-McCoy Helms, Kennedy Murph Helms (Allison), Justin Ross Churchwell (Beverly); fourteen great grandchildren, Isabelle “Izzy” Grace Whitaker, Curran Edward Whitaker, Hughes Elizabeth Whitaker, Hugh Dennis “Tripp” Keating, III, Anna Poem Keating, Daisy Jane Keating, Daniel Dexter Keating, Jr., Pierson Elizabeth Helms, Mary -Alice Nell Helms, Lee Clark Helms, Murph Olivia Helms, Cecelia Leigh Helms, Addison Gail McMaster and Killian James Churchwell; nephews and nieces, Allen M. Snelling, Renee Snelling Kerr, Denise Snelling Hull, Sylvia Snelling Turner and Robert G. Snelling, Jr.; as well as best friends, Claudine Forbes, Angie Lott and Sandra Fairley.

As a young girl, Issy suffered from scarlet fever, resulting in severe and permanent damage to her hearing. Undaunted, and never to be outdone by the accomplishments of her brothers, she competed in Gulfport High School girls’ basketball and pursued many other activities, including her artistic abilities. After high school, Issy attended her first two years of college at an all-women’s finishing school then known as Ward-Belmont College in Nashville (now Belmont University) where she met her future sister-in-law, Charlene Turner from Philadelphia, Mississippi. …Oh, the stories they could tell about visiting The University of the South (Sewanee), an all-men’s university ninety miles to the south of Nashville… Thereafter, she enrolled in the all-women’s Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, which ultimately merged with Tulane University. In the summer of 1951, she attended summer art classes at the University of Colorado. There she met her handsome knight, Dean Keating, a Nebraska cornhusker from a small farming town known as Atkinson. Dean was a college track star in the pole vault but wanted no more snowdrifts and blizzards. …They fell in love, married and moved back to Gulfport. Thus, the family began.

Isabelle never met a stranger and possessed an abiding Faith that always found goodness in everyone and everything. Her inner beauty was outwardly reflected in her constant wit, charm, love and grace. No task or undertaking was too challenging. If you wanted or needed something to get done, you asked Isabelle to do it. She was tough as nails, yet always kind and compassionate.

As a pre-school teacher, elementary school teacher at Northeast Elementary and Handsboro Elementary, art teacher at Fernwood Jr. High, private art teacher from the home, sculptor, potter, painter, craftsman, writer and poet, caterer and wedding cake creator extraordinaire, Isabelle’s creativity was boundless. God granted her a life of fulfillment. She was truly a creature of the Renaissance. She created numerous award-winning pieces of art in multiple media. Her wedding cakes were arguably, the “best in the world”, not only for design, but for taste... It is believed the Grand Marnier Liqueur had something to do with it!... If she did not have a “project”, she was looking for one, whether it be at home or at the home of her kids or grandkids. Her intellect, wisdom and work ethic was uncommon. And, she never avoided a spirited debate about the issue of the day or a family matter.

Isabelle was a “giver”, a mentor, a counselor and a leader, always willing to lend a hand or to get involved with her communities of artisans, civic and social organizations. She was one of the original founders and an early president of the Gulf Coast Craftsman’s Guild. Recognition of her talents resulted in appointment by Governor William Waller to the Mississippi Arts Commission. Isabelle was a member of Revelers Mardi Gras organization, Four Seasons Garden Club, Great Southern Club and the Second Street Social Club. She proudly reigned as the Second Street Social Club Queen, along with King Woody Bailey, during the 2025 Mardi Gras season, an honor which was the apex of her social interaction.

Isabelle was a Cub Scout den mother, a cheerleader sponsor and children’s dance instructor. Always supporting her kids, their friends, and her grandkids, she played second mother to many and shared sage advice about the importance of Faith, hope, unconditional love, sacrifice, commitment, redemption and life’s blessings. But, make no mistake, she was a strict disciplinarian and had a talent for quickly changing one’s attitude when necessary. And, as a fervent fan of all children’s and grandchildren’s athletics, she had no inhibitions about telling an umpire or referee what to do so there was no misunderstanding as to who was speaking from the crowd following a questionable call.

As a charter member, board member and past president of the Hibernia Marching Society of Mississippi, she was instrumental in creating many of the Irish protocols, events and traditions for the organization and celebrations of Irish heritage week and St. Patrick’s Day. Today, the HMS sponsored St. Patrick’s Day celebration is one of the Southeast Top Tourism events on an annual basis. Isabelle’s involvement culminated in receipt of the Golden Shamrock Award, the highest honor awarded by the Hibernia Marching Society.

At age 60, Isabelle embarked on a new career in the life and health insurance industry with The Keating Insurance Agency, Inc. She always had a voracious appetite for learning and the opportunity to grow the agency’s health care product-line presented, so she seized the moment. For more than thirty years thereafter, Isabelle worked with Dean, until his retirement in 2006, and her son-in-law, Terry Helms, and Angie Lott, carrying on and growing the agency’s reputation for integrity and service. Her grandson, Kennedy Murph Helms, now serves as President and leads The Keating Insurance Agency into the future.

The family of Isabelle S. Keating gives special thanks to the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church family for over 55 years of kindness and love extended to Isabelle and to the Keating family. Also, we give special thanks to Isabelle’s caregivers, Sandra Fairley and Sarah Ball, for their gentle, patient and steadfast support as our mother’s journey progressed to its end.

Issy and Deano are dancing an Irish jig with family and friends. Her light will shine forever.

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” - Shakespeare

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Gulfport at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium at the outdoor chapel. A Celebration of Life for family and friends to gather for food and fellowship will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Isabelle “Issy” Murph Snelling Keating.