Helen Granberry O’Keefe of Ocean Springs, a former Vicksburg resident, passed away on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. She was 54.

Helen was born in Jackson on Oct. 25, 1957. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978, and did an internship at Watauga Area Mental Health Centers, where she graduated in 1981. She received her masters degree in 1982 from USM and was only a few hours short of getting her Ph.D.

She had received numerous awards through the Gulfport School District. Helen worked in special education for 28 years. She was instrumental in the creation of the Admiral’s Galley at Gulfport High School in remembrance of her husband, Jerry O’Keefe Jr. IV.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry O’Keefe Jr. IV, and her parents, Henry Granberry and Lona Parsons Granberry of Jackson.

She is survived by her brother, Henry Granberry (Amy), and her niece, Mary Milam Granberry, all of Nashville, Tenn,; her first husband, Scott Lewis; and her dearest friends, Donna Ransdell, Nancy Mills and Regina O’Brian.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Biloxi, where friends may visit from 1 p.m. until service time.

Friends can view and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.