Gene Kemp Mobley

Gene Kemp Mobley, a native of Mobile, passed away on December 31, 2019, at the age of 93. Gene was known to family as Gege after the birth of her grandchildren, whom she adored. She attended Old Shell Road elementary school, Barton Academy, and graduated from Murphy High School as president of her class in the formidable year, 1943.. Soon after, her studies at the University of Alabama were cut short by the pressures of the War. In heart and soul, she and her husband of 63 years, John, were true members of “The Greatest Generation.” Theirs was a model marriage in every respect; just ask any of her neighbors who saw them daily strolling the sidewalks, hand-in-hand, with broad, happy smiles and cheerful, sincere greetings to all.

She was a longtime member of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church to which she devoted much of her time and energy, from serving on and leading numerous committees to teaching kindergarten Sunday School for many years, along with her husband. Gene was a true Southern lady in every way. She lovingly supported and cared for her family and friends. She will be forever remembered for her beautiful and contagious smile which exemplified her strong faith. Gene loved Mobile and worked on and served as president of many local organizations in her sincere efforts to make her community a better place. These included The Florence Crittendon Home, Mobile Bar Auxiliary, The Mobile Jaycettes, and Friends of the Museum of Mobile, to name a few. She also enjoyed being a member of several local mystic societies. When she and her husband moved to Dallas for five years due to John’s work as an attorney with International Paper Company, they attended Highland Park UMC and became active through their Sunday School class, where they made numerous lifelong friends, whom they continued to meet on pleasure trips for many years after returning to Mobile. While there, Gene became involved and served an active role in the Dallas Bar Auxiliary.

Gene was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John Wesley Mobley, parents, Hugh Davison Kemp and Effie Dykes Kemp, a sister, Maude Lee Kemp, and a brother, Hugh Davison “H.D.” Kemp, Jr. She is survived by her three children, Sharon (Eddie) McDonough, Nancy (Johnny) Cahoon, and John Wesley Mobley, Jr.; five grandchildren, Lee McDonough (Forrest) Williams, Kemp McDonough (Will) Criswell, Edward Bailey McDonough III, John Wesley Mobley III, and Elizabeth Rivas Mobley; and four great grandchildren, Robert Forrest Williams, Jr., Louise Hallet Williams, Florence Elizabeth “Effie” Criswell, and William Emmitt Criswell.

The family wishes to acknowledge with grateful hearts the love and compassion of her excellent caretakers, Doris Ward, Patricia Pettway, Alexandra Lee, Cathy Taite, Yvette Williams, Annette Perkins and Sally Barren.

A visitation has been planned for 10:00 AM on Monday, January 6, 2020 at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, followed by a service at 11:00 and graveside services at Spring Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Dauphin Way United Methodist Church or to your favorite local charity.