Melanie Elaine Oakman, 56, of Charleston, SC, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 16th, 2014, after a long illness. Family and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Born June 28, 1958, Melanie graduated from Fort Johnson High School, attended the College of Charleston and worked for the Medical University of South Carolina. She was also a Realtor who managed the family-owned Oakman Properties.

Melanie was a skilled boatswoman, a sport, an excellent cook, and a Charleston character, whose adventures were portrayed in Blanche Boyd's collection of essays entitled The Redneck Way of Knowledge: Down-Home Tales. She loved animals, open water and her native Charleston.

She is survived by friends; two aunts, Jennie Sheppard and Vivian Wallin, both of Asheville, NC and an uncle, Roy Cook of Kernersville, NC; her "nanny for life," Anna Washington and numerous cousins, including Grace Lee Quillian and June Oakman Thomas.

She was predeceased by her parents, Clarence Oakman, Jr. and Theda Oakman and her grandmother, Carrie Lee Oakman.

Her family thanks Grace Lee Quillian, Daniel Ravenel and Anna Washington for their ceaseless succor, support and love through the years. Also the caregivers, doctors, nurses and staff at Heartland of West Ashley, Roper / St. Francis Hospital, and Hospice of Charleston.

Memorials may be made to Pet Helpers,1447 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412 or the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29407.