Lula Mae Kemp

Lula Mae Kemp, 85, joined her Heavenly Father on November 19, 2020. A visitation will be held Friday, November 27, 2020 from 9:30 am – 11:00 am followed by a Homegoing Celebration at 11:00 am, both at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia. Due to Covid restrictions, masks are required inside the building and social distancing is enforced. Services will be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at: Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory, and Memorial Park Cemetery/Columbia.

Lula’s story began in Columbia, Missouri on February 15, 1935. She was the second child and the first daughter born to George and Ethel Williams. Lula was a lifelong resident of Columbia, Missouri living briefly in Newport News Virginia in the late 1950's, and in Cleveland, Mississippi in the early 2000's.

Lula was known for her feisty spirit. You could see that spirit most when she retold the story of “Lula and Henry”. It was a match made in heaven. As it began, Lula saw a picture of Henry while visiting family friend David Anderson, (“Uncle Buddy”). Little did she know he would be her husband for the next 61 years. Lula graduated from Douglas High School in 1954, and during her graduation, she looked up from her seat and saw Henry standing there. She knew he came there for her and only her. She was proud of her good-looking soldier in his uniform. She always said, “All the ladies want my man!” Henry had to return to where he was stationed in Virginia, but he did not forget the girl he left behind. Lula and Henry stayed in contact with each other by letters. It was by letter that Henry asked Lula for her hand in marriage, and sent her a one-way bus ticket to Newport News, Virginia. This was the first time Lula had been out of Missouri. She rode on a segregated bus full of Soldiers. There she became his wife on April 13, 1956. From this union four children were born: Patricia Ann, Gregory, DeWayne and Darrell.

Lula was a loyal member of Sugar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Columbia, MO her entire life. She served as an Usher, sang in the choir and served on many committees. Lula loved her church, and she loved the Lord, the church members love to hear her testimony, it was so vigorous she filled the church with Spirit. She raised her children to believe in God and the whole family are active members of the church.

Lula worked for GTE, (General Telephone Electronics). She started as a custodian and later moved to a position in repair services where she was the only black woman. Lula worked for GTE for 28 years before retiring.

Lula was kind, generous, and loving. She was a great wife, mother, and grandmother. Anyone who knew her was blessed. She loved her plants and always had a beautiful yard. She was an excellent cook and everyone raved about her Chess Pies. You were always welcomed in her home and she went out of her way to make you feel at home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Kemp; her parents, George and Ethel Williams; sisters, Mary Louise Williams, Ruth Powell, and Georgia Rose Redden; brothers, Jimmy Williams, and Edward Williams.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter, Patricia Ann (Willi) Jones; her sons, Gregory Kemp, DeWayne Kemp and Darrell (Kimberly) Kemp; stepson, Lafayette Hayes; grandson/son, Emanuel (Susanne) Kemp; six grandchildren, Sidni Jones, Kristi Franklin (Tony), Yolanda Parker, Shanell Smith, Talin Kemp, and Darian Kemp; Nine great grandchildren; siblings, Leutenus Williams, John Williams, Betty Ann Butler, Rena Richardson, and Vincent Williams; honorary family members, Mary Edwards, Debbie Williams, Gerlie Poston, Jr., and Verl Williams; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to Sugar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, ICO Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia, MO 65202