Katherine Rochelle Nelson McKee

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Katherine Rochelle Nelson McKee passed away peacefully at her home on April 16, 2022

Rochelle was born Dec. 22, 1934, in Fairhope, Alabama to Alfred Austin “Skeeter” Nelson and Addie Lee Nelson. She was one of seven children and loved her four brothers and two sisters so much.  She was so proud to be a native of Fairhope and lived her entire life on the Eastern Shore. 

While attending a Fairhope city committee meeting, she first met Dr. Robert McKee. They were married not long after that meeting and spent fifty-eight years together as husband and wife.

Rochelle was a devoted wife and mother, but she found time to serve her community.

She was a life-long member of the Fairhope Christian Church where she was dedicated as a baby, baptized, and married. She especially enjoyed singing in the church choir, serving on the Beautification Committee, and participating in various projects of the Christian Women’s’ Fellowship.

She was a member of the Daphne Study Club, Fairhope Art Center, Knights and Knighties and Merry Maskers.

Rochelle was an avid tennis player, golfer and enjoyed playing bridge with her friends. Most of all she enjoyed living on Mobile Bay and watching the beautiful sunsets on the water.

Rochelle is preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband, Dr. Robert Blees McKee, as well as by her brothers, Jimmy Nelson, Paul Nelson, and Herman Nelson. 

She is survived by her children Allison McKee Brown (Mike) and Robert Patrick McKee (Mary Lou) and her six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of whom lovingly referred to her as “Bay-Bay” – Katherine Brown (Jack), Alice Edmonds (Will), Michael Brown, McKee Brown, Lanee McKee, Gracee McKee and Jack Brown, IV.

She is also survived by two sisters Janet Helms (Morris) and Dorothy Bowen (Richard) and one brother, Eddie Nelson (Susie), all of whom loved Rochelle dearly.

The family would like to thank Mrs. Shirley Davenport, Synergy Home Health and Kindred Hospice, along with numerous neighbors and friends who looked after Rochelle over these last months.

A celebration of life service will be held at Fairhope Christian Church on Thursday, April 21 at 2 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Fairhope Christian Church, 349 Fairwood Boulevard, Fairhope, AL 36532.