Betty Jean Kemp
Born January 22, 1938 in Clothier, West VirginiaDeparted January 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
Betty “Bets” (Thompson) Kemp, 86 passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024 surrounded by her family at her side in Melbourne, FL just the way she wanted it to be. Betty has been welcomed to heaven with open arms by the good Lord and her husband Don, son Rusty, as well as family members and friends that had preceded her in death. Betty will be deeply missed.
Betty was born in Clothier, WV to Tom and Mae (Taylor) Thompson on January 22, 1938, and attended Scott High School in Madison, WV. Her family moved to Painesville, Ohio in 1954, where she met her future husband, Donald Kemp. They married soon after on December 18,1954. In 1971 the family moved to South Lyon, MI. Betty and Don remained happily married for 25 years until his death in August 1980.
Betty was a homemaker and the best mom ever to Rusty, Debbie, and Mike. She always lived up to her word and taught us well in every aspect of our lives. She was a very loyal friend in every way. She had your back no matter what. Betty has touched many lives, leaving this earth a much better place.
Betty loved her Maize and Blue and proudly wore her colors that stated, “Til The Day I’m Through”, on her last days. She was thrilled to see ‘her team’ go all the way winning the 2023 National Championship. No one could say a bad word to her about the Michigan Wolverines without a ‘fiery rebuttal’! She loved that team, “Go Blue”!
Betty loved playing sports, she was extremely competitive, and she excelled at whatever sport she decided to play. She especially loved bowling, playing softball, and pitching horseshoes. Betty’s other passions included playing bingo with friends and going to various casinos.
Betty moved to Melbourne, FL in 1989 to go into business with her son Mike and has been in Florida ever since.
Betty is survived by her significant other Chuck Charette (together for 31 years), her daughter Debbie (Jim) Grosh of Plymouth, MI, her son Mike (Charlotte) Kemp of LaBelle, FL. Her six grandchildren; Sarah (Joel) Elsesser, William Kemp, Tyler Grosh, John Davis, Juli (Cale) Drapal, and Jeremy (Mallarie) Kennedy and her 10 great grandchildren; Hadley, Zachary, Avery, Karoline, Connor, Charlie, Kennedy, Harper, Jace, and Kate.
Betty is also survived by her siblings; sisters-Joyce Easter, Mary (John) Svoboda, Alice (Bob) Evans, Bertha Wachsman, Pamela Truman, and her brother Johnnie Thompson.
She is also survived by many beloved friends.
There will be two Celebration of Life memorials for Betty.
The first celebration will be held in Melbourne, Florida on February 17, 2024, from 1:00-3:30 pm at the Christ Episcopal Church, located at 190 Interlachen Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940
The second celebration will be held in South Lyon, Michigan on June 1, 2024, from 12:00-4:00 pm at the South Lyon Hotel located at 201 N Lafayette Street, South Lyon, MI 48178
The Betty J Kemp Memorial Fund was created to honor Betty’s favorite charities and organizations. In lieu of flowers for both Celebrations, please consider this fund. The donations will be distributed among Angels in the Attic, Hospice Vitas, American Cancer Society, and La Belle Middle School FFA (Future Farmers of America) by her children Debbie Grosh and Mike Kemp.
Please make checks payable to:
The Betty J Kemp Memorial Fund
c/o DM Kemp
8010 Grove Ct.
La Belle, FL 33935
Donations will be distributed to the following organizations.
Hospice Vitas Community Connection (Melbourne, FL)
Angels in the Attic (Melbourne, FL)
Future Farmers of America (LaBelle, FL)
American Cancer Society
Enclosed is my gift of $_______
From: _____________________________________
Address: ___________________________________
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Please make checks payable to
The Betty J Kemp Memorial Foundation