Melanie Kenna Kerwood Mabe , 81, of Point Pleasant, WV, originally from West Hamlin, WV, passed away peacefully on March 16 after a short illness.  Born in Huntington, WV on February 22, 1942, Melanie was preceded in death by her parents, George Thomas "Tom" Kerwood, Sr. and Lena Myrtle Kerwood of West Hamlin, WV, her sisters Deanna Dare Kerwood Hoke of Hamlin and Jan Pierson Kerwood Ferguson of Salisbury, NC and her brother George Thomas "Tommy" Kerwood, Jr. of Point Pleasant.

Melanie was married to her high school sweetheart, Richard Avon Mabe for sixty years and was blessed with one son Bryan Kerwood Mabe of Charleston, WV.

Melanie attended West Hamlin Grade School and graduated from Guyan Valley High School where she was a majorette and Valedictorian of her class in 1959.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University, where she majored in English and German.  She taught for seven years at Guyan Valley High School followed by thirty-five years as an English teacher at Point Pleasant High School in Mason County.  While teaching at Point Pleasant High School, Melanie was the long-time advisor of the National Honor Society and was awarded the Teacher Emeritus Award after her retirement in 2004.   Melanie was a member of West Hamlin Methodist Church and later St Paul's Methodist Church in Point Pleasant.

Educating students was her lifelong passion and after retiring she also enjoyed tutoring students online.  She loved cooking, baking and writing poetry.   It was not uncommon for her to cook and share food with her neighbors in Meadowbrook and often wrote eulogies for departed family members and friends.  She had a deep love of animals, having adopted several dogs, a favorite Sheba a solid black Chow mix, as well as two beloved cats Elle (Ellemae) and Muffin.

Surviving are her son Bryan Kerwood Mabe (Kelli) of Charleston, WV, and two beautiful granddaughters Lauren Alexandra Mabe of Charleston, WV and Elizabeth Morgan Mabe of San Jose, CA.  She is survived by several nieces, her special niece Mauren Hoke Hauldren of Hamlin, WV, among them.  One of her most special students was a former foreign exchange student from Merida, Mexico, Luis Ruiz.

A graveside service, officiated by Reverend Matthew Oliver, will be held on Wednesday, March 22 @ 3:00pm at Ridgelawn Memorial Park in Huntington, WV.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by Deal Funeral Home in Point Pleasant.   Her family wishes to thank the competent and compassionate staff at Holzer Hospital, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and Hubbard Hospice House.   In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of these exemplary facilities.