Tillie Kemp (Plainview)

Rejoice in the Lord! Jesus welcomed home our mother, Celinda Matilda “Tillie” Kemp into her eternal home on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to us all. Tillie was born to Dewey Joseph and Elsa Matilda Thames in Wichita Falls, Texas on May 10, 1928. She was baptized into the Christian Catholic faith on May 13, 1928 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was the eldest sister to Betty, Joe, Patricia, Peggy, Mary Alice and Martha. While growing up during the Great Depression, her family moved often while her father sought work in the oil fields of Louisiana and Texas. In 1943, her family moved to Petersburg, Texas where she met her husband, William Marshall Kemp. They were married at Saint Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Lubbock, Texas on September 26, 1944. They moved to their farm in Plainview in the summer of 1947 where they lived together for the next 55 years until Marshall’s death in 2002. She was the most amazing and gracious hostess. Everyone from her family and friends were always welcome to her home with loving arms to sit around the dining room table while enjoying companionship and her meals. Her love and compassion for others was like no other. Tillie was the ultimate prayer warrior. Her love for God was her first and greatest priority and her life was her testimony. Tillie’s love for God was reflected in her love for family and friends. She would spend many hours a day in prayer, especially praying for the intentions of her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of Saint Alice Catholic Church over 70 years where she often attended daily Mass. In 1999, she made her profession as a Secular Franciscan of the Brothers and Sisters of Saint Francis. Tillie was very apostolic and loved to share her faith with others. She knew she served a great and loving God and she was compelled to share the “Good News” of Jesus with others. Tillie lived a life full of joy, laughter and love and leaves behind her family to carry on her legacy: her eight children and their spouses, Larry (Terri) Kemp of Dalhart, Cheryl (Larry) Dickerson of Plainview, Connie (Jeff) Jobe of Austin, Steve (Latrice) Kemp of Plainview, Lisa (Tim) Field of College Station, Bill (Kenit) Kemp of Canyon, Gina (Randy) Fuller of McKinney, and Lori (Monte) Lyons of Lubbock. Her twenty-seven grandchildren: Kyle (Taysha) Kemp, Gaylan (Traci) Kemp, Kevin (Delia) Kemp, Alison (Garland) Swecker, John David (Kim) Dickerson, Mary Elizabeth Dickerson, Taylor (Lacey) Jobe, Hadyn (Dan) Covert, Staton (Anne) Jobe, Meagen (Clint) Adams, Kalli (Michael) Hattrup, Trevor Kemp, Marilisa (Shawn) Carney, Tanner (Andrea) Field, Layton (Lindsey) Field, Barrett (Suzy) Field, Cole (McKenna) Kemp, Lane and Chloe Kemp, Aaron, Alexa, Avery, Annie and Andrew Fuller, Tyler (Jennifer) Lyons, Clay (Amy) Lyons, and Bailey Lyons. She also has 34 great grandchildren and counting. She is also survived by her brother and sisters: Joe Thames, Patricia Key, Sister Celine Thames, Mary Alice Creamer and Martha Uroda and her sister-in-law Kathryn CdeBaca, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Last but not least, she leaves behind her precious little Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Gilley, her constant and faithful companion. A family visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 6 to 7 p.m. at Saint Alice Memorial Room followed by a Rosary and Remembrances beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Alice Catholic Church. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Saint Alice Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. A Christian burial will immediate follow at Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. She will be missed dearly by all. Every person she encountered was embraced by her loving presence and example of Jesus Christ. May our sweet mother Tillie rest in peace and be welcomed into God’s eternal glory! Donations may be made in her memory to Our Lady of Angels Covenant (Franciscan Missionary Sisters) 8202 CR 7700, Wolfforth, TX 79380 or EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210.