of Desha, AR
June 16, 1964 - June 25, 2014
Melissa Kemp, 50, of Desha died Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in her family home after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
She was born June 16, 1964, in Springfield, MO, the daughter of James and Robbie Kemp. She was a lifelong resident of Desha, graduating from Desha High School in 1982. She received an associate's degree from Gateway Vocational Technical School and worked for the USDA Rural Development office for 27 years. She was a lifelong member of the Southside Church of Christ.
Melissa enjoyed classic country music and regularly attended concerts in neighboring states to hear artists such as Gene Watson, Merle Haggard and Mickey Gilley. She was also an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team as well as a diehard NASCAR fan, most notably of drivers Rusty Wallace and Jimmie Johnson.
In recent years, Melissa began travelling with her mother and enjoyed memorable trips to New York City and Canada. She was a doting aunt to her two nieces and a constant companion to her mother following her father's death in 2010.
Survivors include her mother, Robbie, of Desha; a brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Crystal Kemp of Conway; and two nieces, Katie Kemp and Sarah Kemp of Conway. Melissa was preceded in death by her father.
Graveside services will be Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Marcella Cemetery with Bob Harris officiating. Pallbearers will be Jerry Bowen, Glen McMullin, Gary Hardin, Bill Coles, Lavaughn Coles and Robert Foster, with Dwayne and Paula Millikin, Johnny Knabe, Rickey Carter and Sam Beasley serving as Honorary Pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Melissa's memory to the Children's Homes, Inc. of Paragould, 5515 Old Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450
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33 Condolence(s)
Ionna Hess
Friday, June 27, 2014
Thinking of you during this difficult time. Prayers for peace and comfort.
Cathy Harris
Friday, June 27, 2014
I am sorry for your loss. Melissa was a very sweet person and a wonderful co-worker. I did not work directly with her, but the years we spent together with the agency is more like family than co-workers. May knowing you are not alone in your time of sorrow help give you strength for today and new hope for tomorrow. May prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with the family.
Ann Green
Thursday, June 26, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Linda Cooper
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Memories are what you leave with us. You have assisted many folks in your professional life and with grace and kindness was wonderful to your friends and family. You are missed.
Carol Wilson
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Robbie and family, I am so sorry for your loss, Melissa. She was always a sweet loving person. You are all in my prayers. Carol and James Wilson
Debbie Bratton
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Mike and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. It is clear that she was very well loved and cared for by her wonderful family. May our Heavenly Father bless you and your family at this time of grief and healing.
Faye Whitfield
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Robbie, sorry for your great loss. Love and prayers and know that God's Grace is sufficient!
Cheryl E. Ivy
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Please accept my condolences to Melissa's family as well as the Rural Development family. I did not work directly with Melissa but the quality of her work was held in such high esteem that her standard of excellence came to my attention as the Director of Housing Programs.
Melissa was aware of my sentiments and I would like to express my appreciation to her family for her dedicated and excellent service to Single Family Housing Programs. More important than the work, I found Melissa to be a very nice and kind person.
I will continue in prayer for all who loves her.
Karri Langston
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Michael and I are so sorry for your loss.
Gail Moody Gillmore
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Terrie Shires
Thursday, June 26, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss, and pray for peace for you all knowing you WILL meet again.
Nancy M. Rogers
Thursday, June 26, 2014
When I first met Melissa, I knew she was a special person, kind and caring of others. She will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to her family.
Tianna Nash Reynolds
Thursday, June 26, 2014
So very sorry to hear of Melissa's untimely passing. She was too young for this horrible disease. I will keep you and Mike in my prayers. God Bless Your Family.
Roxann Lamons
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
My heart breaks for your loss. Melissa was always such a kind, sweet person. She is now in the arms of our Lord and wearing a big smile. I will be praying for the family as you begin your healing process.
Javlin
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Sorry for your loss.
Sonya Martin
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Our family extends deepest sympathy to all of Melissa's family. Even though we do not always understand why or why now, I trust that God's plans are at work in our lives and we will see our loved ones again. Sincerely, Leora Jeffery and Sonya Martin and kids
Resa Bolin
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Melissa always had a kind word for everyone. She always seen the good and positive in each situation. She loved her family so much. May God's love, your memories and the many prayers being uplifted give you comfort in the days ahead.
Melissa Nash Crites
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
So sorry to hear of Melissa's passing. Your family is in my prayers! It just doesn't seem possible for her to be gone so young. You're all in my thoughts.
Vicki Kemp Giger
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Melissa was a very sweet, kind person who will be missed.
Pam (Smith) Roberson
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Sorry,to hear that Melissa,passed away.She was a Sweet & Smart young lady!God,Bless ur Family!
Zane Rankin
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
I will always remember Melissa as a sweet, gentle person who had a smile for everyone.
My most sincere condolences to those she left behind.
Diane Jeffery
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
So sorry to hear of Melissa's passing. She was one of my students at Desha. I always enjoyed her and she was an excellent student. May she rest in peace. My condolences to her family.
Hunter Goodman
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Mike and family,
May memories of Melissa comfort you at this difficult time and always! You are all close in my thoughts.
In Service,
Hunter
Stuart and Lea Ann Norton
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Beth Cox
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Melissa was truly a beautiful person, inside and out and she was always upbeat and so helpful. She is truly going to be missed by all who had the opportunity to meet her and work with her. It is so hard to believe that she is gone. Keeping her family close in my prayers. Praying that God will give you the strength and His amazing grace for the days that lay ahead. Thinking of you all.
Becky Beasley
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Robbie, I am so sorry to hear about Melissa (or miss lissa) as the kids called her in class. She was such a beautiful sweet soul. Southside Church of Christ lost a precious member today and she will be missed by all of us who knew and loved her. My prayers are with you.
Carolyn Woehl
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
So sorry for your loss. I pray for peace for your familty. Phillippians 4:7.
LouAnne Richardson
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
So sorry for the loss of young Melissa. She is now in peace and in no pain. Condolences and prayers for the family. She will be missed at USDA, Rural Development
Kimberly Robinson
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss. I worked in the same program as Melissa and she will be missed.
My prayers are with you all!
Terry Shelby
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Such a wonderful person!! My thoughts and prayers are with the family
Ricki Gilbert
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Melissa was great to be around always upbeat.
Barbara B.Esters
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Robbie & Family,
So sorry to hear of Melissa's passing. I know she was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. May God hold you in the palm of his hand and give you peace.
Becky Brann
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Words can not express how I feel. This is such a shock that she will not be with us in her physical body any longer. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as it will be a emotional struggle for the family for many months to come. Comfort can come from knowing that she was trully loved by others and touched so many lives. She will be TRULY missed.