Rose Manton Keel

Rose Manton Keel of Point Clear, Alabama passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 24, with her husband and family at her side.

Born February 5, 1934 in Carson, Mississippi, to Henry Augustus and Vernon Pitts Manton, her early youth was spent in Jefferson Davis County.  The family moved to Brookhaven for Rose's high school years, where she made lifelong friends.

Rose represented Brookhaven and Mississippi in beauty and hospitality pageants, holding many titles.  She was proud of these accomplishments but rarely spoke of them.

Rose attended Hinds Junior College before accepting a job in Memphis, Tennessee with a modeling agency.  It was here that she met her husband, Daniel Talmadge Keel, Jr. who was attending the University of Tennessee Medical School.  While they were dating, Rose served as a flight attendant for Southern Airways.  Air travel looked different in 1954 and she loved to look back on those experiences.

Married on January 6, 1955, the couple moved back to Brookhaven, Mississippi in 1962 where they remained for 40 years.  While raising their family, Rose was active in many social and civic organizations.  She was passionate about the work of the Junior Auxiliary  serving as president when the chapter was awarded outstanding status by the National Junior Auxiliary.

Rose had many talents but her greatest gift was her way with people.  Throughout their many travels and in her day to day life, Rose "gathered people" the way many of us pick flowers from our gardens.  She acquired, nurtured and kept friends all over the globe and in all walks of life. all were drawn to her.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Cecil Manton and her eldest daughter, Cindy.  Survivors include her husband of 70 years, daughter Christy Langston (Ken), son Daniel Talmadge Keel, III (Lauren), eight grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

According to her wishes, a private family service will be held.

To honor her, memorial contributions may be made to the Brookhaven, Mississippi Chapter of Junior Auxiliary.