Virginia Kemp

Our mother Virginia Kemp passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. She was born on November 4, 1926, and was a resident of Crestview for almost 70 years. She attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls and Swarthmore College. While working in Florida she met and married Edmond Kemp of Paxton. Virginia graduated with a B.A. from Florida State University and received her master’s degree from the University of Kansas.

          She first taught music at Milligan and Holt schools, then 3rd and 4th grade at Milligan. When those two schools consolidated with Baker School, she taught at Southside for 12 years. After resigning from Southside she worked with the Young Adult Conservation Corps, at the Bob Sikes Airport, and with the Clerk of Court office. Virginia was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was very active. She served as a teacher and in the choir and was the church pianist. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Edmond Kemp, and her son-in-law Larry Welch.

          Virginia is survived by her daughters: Peggy Blanton, Elizabeth Weirick and her husband Richard, Martha Barton and her husband Henry, and Delma Welch; grandchildren: David Blanton, Matt Barton and wife Sherri, Travis Barton, and wife Abby, Calvin Welch and wife Kourtney, Hunter Welch, and Ginji Edge and husband Tim; great grandchildren: Jack Blanton, Max Blanton, Nash Barton, Jace Barton, Hayes Barton, Keegan Barton, Issac Welch, Ethan Welch, Alex Jordan, Reise Edge, and Darby Edge; dear Swedish Cousins Ruth Ellen Muri, David Oscarson and Jon Oscarson (deceased) special friend and family member Jeanne Corley.

          The family would like to give special thanks, love, and appreciation for the Crestview Rehabilitation Center employees and Dr. Indumathi Christopher.

          The celebration of Virginia’s life will be held on Monday January 16, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery. A time of visitation with the family will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview. Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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