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| At the advice of Uncle Barney and cousin Jeddie Botsford, I tried to contact Tom Kemp of Berea KY. He was thought to be the son of W.C. Kemp's youngest brother, Howard Alvin (b. 1907). "Uncle" Tom was pleased to hear from me, and was anxious to re-establish communication with the "Culous" line of the Kemp family. We agreed to correspond via e-mail and share information. Printed below is his first pregnant posting in which he lays out virtually the entire family tree for W.C.'s brothers, Burnice and Howard, along with info. on John Martin's family (my glosses are in blue): |
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Scott, . . . This is a copy of the obituary for Mollie Kemp (W.C.'s mother) that appeared in the Jackson Sun on Feb. 3, 1955. I have the feeling that her husband, Thomas Edward (W.C.'s father), was also buried by the Shackleford Funeral Home in the Adamsville Cemetery. Mrs. Mary F. Kemp Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Frances Kemp, 87, who died at her home, 428 Madison Street, early yesterday morning, were held today at the Shackleford Funeral Home in Savanna. Burial was in the Adamsville cemetery. Born and raised in Adamsville, she had lived there most of her life, moving to Jackson about two years ago following the death of her husband. She is survived by four sons, B. O. Kemp and Howard A. Kemp of Jackson, W. C. Kemp of Augusta, Ga., and J. M. Kemp of Cleveland, OH. Can you tell me anything about Oren Kemp? This is the first time I have heard about him. (I later responded that he check the "W.C.'s Family page" for what info. we have). ABOUT BURNICE ODELL KEMP (6-23-1999) Burnice Odell Kemp was born 2-11-1888, at Crump , TN. His wife of many years, was named Wilma, but I don’t know her maiden name. Burnice was a barber all his working life, but he loved trading horses, mules, and cattle, and he did this as a sideline even after retirement. B. O. passed away on 12-27-1976, was prepared by the Lanier Funeral Home, and was buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Jackson, (Madison County), TN. Wilma worked for the Woolworth Five and Ten Cent Store in Jackson for more that 20 years. She passed away a few years before B. O. but I do not know the date (see the tombstone pix below). She is buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Jackson, TN. |
 
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B. O. and Wilma had only one child, named Kathryn. Kathryn married Jack
Alper, who served in the army during WW II. After the war, he returned
to Jackson where he operated a salvage yard. Kathryn and Jack never
had children of their own, but they adopted a boy, probably in the
1950’s. I know nothing of their later life. ABOUT JOHN MARTIN KEMP (6-23-1999) Uncle John lived in Jackson with Howard, Hattie Mae, and Thomas Earl for about a year or so in the early 1930’s. He then left and went to Cleveland, Ohio. We seldom heard from him, but we learned that he had formed his own trucking company, and that he had married. Upon retirement, John sold his trucking business and his home, and took his family to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. John and his wife, Pauline, came by Berea to see us on the way, and when they left here, they went by Jackson to visit Howard and Hattie Mae. John purchased the Sands Apartments and Motel at 711 Austin Street, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico 87901. The latest phone number I have is 505-894-3680 or 505-894-6367. John and Pauline had several children and grandchildren, but my memory is not so good now, and I know nothing about their names, ages or anything else about them. ABOUT HOWARD ALVIN KEMP (6-23-1999) Howard Alvin was born 6-2-1907 in Crump, (Hardin County) TN. He married Hattie Mae Boone in Jackson, (Madison County) TN on 10-22-1927. They had one child, Thomas Earl, born on 12-24-1928. Except for brief periods of time, when Howard was employed elsewhere, the family spent most of their lives in Jackson. Howard passed away in the General Hospital in Jackson on 11-5-80, and was buried in the Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson. Hattie Mae Boone Kemp, wife of Howard Alvin, was born 8-29-1907 in Seymour, Texas. Her family moved to Tennessee during her early childhood years. As a young woman, she was employed for a number of years by the Morgan-Hitchcock Lumber Co. She passed away on 10-15-1975, and she is buried in the Highland Memorial gardens in Jackson. ABOUT THOMAS EARL KEMP (6-23-1999) Thomas Earl Kemp was born on 12-24-1928 (Christmas Eve like me! 12-24-1958) in Union City, (Obion County) TN. His parents moved to Jackson early in his childhood, where he lived most of the time until he left home to go to college at the University of Tennessee. While in college Tom met and married Hamdy Norman, a first generation American of Lebanese parents. She was born on 6-1-1927 in Winnsboro, (Fairfield County) SC. They were married on 8-28-1952, and they lived in Knoxville, TN until they moved to Berea, (Madison County) KY in August, 1955. Tom and Hamdy had two sons, George Edward born 5-31-1956 and Lee Warren born 11-29-1957. George Edward was born and lived in Berea until he was an adult, and then he moved to Lexington, (Fayette County) KY where he is a machinist. George is not yet married. Lee Warren was born and lived in Berea until he was an adult. Lee is a journeyman mason, and followed the trade for several years. He presently lives in Lexington, KY. He is now in sales with a block and brick company. Lee married Melissa Clarke (11-2-65) from Russelville, Ky on 8-15-1987. They have three sons Stephen Thomas (10-4-1988), Charles Parker (9-6-1990), and David Hudson (6-9-1994). I will be in touch again. Tom Kemp |
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