Melanie Gossett, 66, of Wichita Falls, died on Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

Her life will be celebrated by family and friends during a gathering at a later date.Melanie was born on May 12, 1950, in Wichita Falls, Texas. She was a graduate of Wichita Falls High School and later attended Sam Houston State University. She and Sonny Gossett were married in Oklahoma on January 7, 1969. Melanie will be remembered as a fun-loving, vivacious person who loved her family, friends and dogs. She enjoyed traveling with Sonny in their Casita, visiting the children and spending time at state and national parks. She loved going to Possum Kingdom Lake and had learned to scuba dive.

Melanie gardened and could often be seen taking a break afterward sitting in a lawn chair beside her Casita.

Melanie was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Brittani Gossett; father, Pat O’Neil; brother, Kevin O’ Neil; and step-father, William Eklund.

She is survived by her husband, Sonny Gossett; mother, Eva Joy Ecklund; sons, Lee Lawhorne and wife, Mindy of Mansfield, TX; Gary Gossett and Brian Gossett, both of Wichita Falls; and Brent Gossett and wife, Cassie of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Alexis and Austin Gossett; Andrew Robison and Garret Lawhorne; Emma Vezina, Eli Gossett and Jett Gossett; sister, Janet O’Neil and Larry Aycock of Austin, TX; brother, Mike O’Neil of Austin, TX; and a host of friends of who will miss her dearly.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be sent to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.