Mr. Joseph L. Kemp Sr.

Mr. Joseph L. Kemp, Sr. passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at the age of 83 years. He was born on March 7, 1933 in Alligator, Mississippi. He was one of nine children born to the union of Nathaniel and Blanchia (Nicholson) Kemp. He attended Mississippi schools. He received Christ at an early age at the Mt Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Alligator, MS. Joseph moved to Saginaw, MI in 1956 where he was employed with the Weineke Co. and the Sugar Beet Plant before being employed by Grey Iron Foundry, Div. GM. and was a member of UAW Local 668. He retired after 25 years of service. He also had a tree cutting service and was affectionately known as, “Tree Man”. He would beat any bid by any other tree service, making him the go to person for tree cutting. Mr. Kemp was a longtime member of Bethlehem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Ernest W. Bothuel, and currently under the leadership of Pastor Lafayette Simpson. Joseph was a deacon and a member of the choir. He would often pick up members that were unable to drive or were wheel chair bound and bring them to church. He was a faithful member until his health failed. Joseph leaves to cherish his memory three children, Grace A. Kemp, Joseph Leon Kemp, Jr., and Janice Anderson Kemp; seven grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Andre, Joseph III and Austin Kemp, Melissa Coombs, Gerrica Shorter and George Jackson II; six great-grandchildren, Geordan, Laila, Carter, Quinton, Ayanna and Mason; two sisters, Lida Stephens, Lailah and Verna Mae Kemp all of Clarksdale, MS; a special sister-in-law, Dorothy Parham Kemp of Saginaw, MI; brother-in-law, Samuel Johnson of Kansas City, MO; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel and Blanchia Kemp; two brothers and four sisters. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Pastor Lafayette Simpson and the Bethlehem Baptist Church family, Covenant ICU, Compassus Hospice and Hoyt Nursing Home. A very special thank you to Tasha and Lena. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 3309 Bundy Street. Pastor Lafayette Simpson will officiate with interment in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Alligator, MS. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to greet friends.

Mr. Joseph L. Kemp Sr.

March 7, 1933 - December 6, 2016