Melita Tyng Keith passed away on November 3, 2025, after a lengthy and courageous battle with breast cancer. A seventh-generation Texan, she was born on October 30, 1972, in Houston, Texas. Melita attended Our Lady of Victory School in Victoria, Texas. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1991 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Her love of adventure and the outdoors was a hallmark of her life. She spent thirteen summers at Camp Longhorn, where she formed life-long friendships. Whether she was hunting birds in South Texas, chasing Bonefish in the Bahamas, or taking a sunset drive with John, she embraced every moment with passion and joy. A natural-born wing-shooter, Melita was a fierce competitor at pigeon shoots, often walking away with the Calcutta purse and the hardware of the day. Above all, Melita cherished her time with family and friends. She was an inspiration because of her strong faith and positive attitude. Her warmth, infectious laugh, and adventurous spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Melita was an active member of the community in both Victoria and San Antonio. She served as President of the Junior League of Victoria and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In San Antonio, she was a member of the Battle of Flowers Association, the Green Hand Garden Club, and the Los Festivos Club.
Melita was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Curran Tyng, her grandparents, Fred and Dorothy Curran Tyng, and William and Lucile Welder Murphy. Melita is survived by her husband of twenty years, John David Keith, her son, Jackson Tyng Scroggie, and her daughter, Lucile Welder Keith. She is also survived by her mother, Madeline Tyng Dodson, and her husband, James Dodson; her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Christine Tyng; her nephews, Tommy, James, and Henry Tyng; and many other relatives and friends.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on November 11 at 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in Victoria, followed by burial in Memorial Park Cemetery under the auspices of Rosewood Funeral Chapel.
Donations in Melita’s memory may be sent to Our Lady of Victory School, 1311 E. Mesquite Lane, Victoria, TX 77901, or St. Andrews Church and School, Attention: Community Chaplain, 722 Robinhood, San Antonio, TX 78209, or the donor’s favorite charity.
