WILMINGTON — Mary Beth McKeever of Buxton, North Carolina, died February 4, 2024, after a brief illness.
She was the daughter of the late Melba Marine and James E. McKeever and was raised in Sandy Springs, Md. She is survived by her partner, Buddy Hooper of Buxton; a sister, Terri McKeever of Wilmington; a brother Jim McKeever and his family of Ijamsville, Maryland; many cousins, good friends and her Tibetan terrier, Tucker. She was a graduate of the University of Maryland and was an ASID designated interior designer.
Mary Beth spent many summers while growing up with her grandparents, Ollie and Mary Marine at Sneads Ferry. From an early age she called the coast of North Carolina her second home. After working in Maryland and Washington, DC for several years, she moved to Surf City and was an interior designer for Interior Collections. She later relocated to Maryland and became a designer for Builders Design Group, a commercial real estate developer.
After a few years she returned to the coast of North Carolina and purchased Interior Collections. She was known for her skills as a gifted designer with exceptional taste as well as a finely honed understanding of construction, space planning and the latest in design aesthetic. Though a beauty who was always impeccably dressed, she loved the outdoors and nothing made her happier than going deep sea fishing, duck hunting or bear hunting with Buddy. She was the love of Buddy’s life and a true Renaissance woman.
A special thank you to the Davis Community and the private caregivers who were so good to Mary Beth during the last months of her life.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated to “Welcome Home Angel, Inc.,” a non-profit dedicated to bringing joy and comfort to chronically ill and injured children by renovating living spaces to allow these children to focus on healing rather than their obstacles. All donations may be sent to Welcome Home Angel, Inc., P. O. Box 3454, Wilmington, NC 28406.
