Helen M. Kemp

Helen M. Kemp, age 80, of Tuscaloosa, died June 8, 2011, at Hospice of West Alabama. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Memory Hill Gardens with Cullen Williams officiating and Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter Charles Kemp; daughter, Donna Kemp Mitchell; grandson, Randall Blake Hughes; and great-grandson, Briley Mitchell.

Survivors include her daughters, Wanda Curtis (Robin) and Susan Hughes Harris (Pat); sons, Charles R. Kemp and Walter M. Kemp (Vivian); sisters, Sara Owens (Bobby), Johnnie Lee Sullivan, Ann Hallman (Jerry), and Myra McCaleb (Danny); grandchildren, Brad Kemp, Tracy Patton (Josh), Brett Mitchell (Daphne), Josh Kemp (Kim), and Brittany Hughes; great-grandchildren, Victoria Kemp, Kelsey Patton, Tanner Mitchell, Launa and Anna Kate Hughes, Ashton Patton, MacKenzie Mitchell, Samantha Pasco, and Brady Brothers; and her special companion for 14 years, Bama.

She was a very hard-working, brave, and strong lady. Her health deteriorated after the April 27 tornado. She kept a positive attitude after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Honorary pallbearers are Bruno's Food and Pharmacy, Northport Medical Center-DCH Rehab Center; DCH Trauma Services, Dr. George Nunn, Dr. Melanie Graham, Dr. Steve Lovelady, Christy Allen M.D., Taylors Automotive, Auto Outlet, Gene and Gail Currington, Sara Riley (Jim), Mrs. Mac, friends of Elm Drive, Russell Mitchell, Bro. Victor Bonner (Faye), Rita Mitchell, DCH Cancer Center, and friends of New Haven Baptist Church.