Nancy Helms Kemp

Nancy Helms Kemp (89) of Byram, Mississippi went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2018. Mrs. Kemp was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on July 28, 1929. She moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, attended Hattiesburg High School, and the University of Southern Mississippi, where she met her future husband Judge James E. “Ed” Kemp.

After marrying, Mrs. Kemp moved to Jackson, Mississippi where she had three sons James Gregory Kemp, Michael Alan Kemp, and Douglas Dow Kemp. In addition, to raising her three sons, Mrs. Kemp worked as a florist for over thirty years, and was active in Hillcrest Baptist Church for over 40 years.

Mrs. Kemp was very active in her community serving as the President of the Greater Jackson Counsel of Garden Clubs, President of the Parnassus Club of Jackson, and President of the Friends of the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield. She was named the Mississippi Club Woman of the Year, and the Volunteer of the Year for Friends of the Mississippi State Hospital. Due to her work with the Friends Organization, the Mississippi State Hospital named the rose garden “The Nancy Kemp Rose Garden” in her honor.

Mrs. Kemp’s most cherish role in life was that of mother to her three children. She treated our bruises, cuts, and soothed our aches and pains. We stand as men today because of her love and care. She was always the life of the party, the best dressed person in the room, and made the best spaghetti in the world. The great memories we have of her will keep with us through the years.

Mrs. Kemp is survived by her three sons Jim, Mike, and Doug, her grandson Andrew, and her daughter-in-law Lea. She deeply loved her family, and we dearly loved her. While we will miss her terribly, we know that through her faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ she has victory over death.

Visitation for Mrs. Kemp will be held Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Parkway Funeral Home from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. A graveside service and interment will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.