Lloyd Kemp was born in 1909, the first-born child of Ed and Isadora Kemp. During his childhood years, he worked in farming with his parents, as did most his age at that time. In the late 1930’s/early 1940’s, he moved to Hallsboro, married, and started a family. His son, Lloyd Jr, was born during that time. In the early 1950’s, he moved to Winston-Salem, NC, and worked with RJ Reynolds Tobacco company for many years. He moved to Newport News, VA in the 1960’s, and is believed to have remarried while there. He worked with Montgomery Ward, a large department store chain, during his time there.

He was known for how well-dressed he always was. It was often said by his local friends that “he brought style to Hallsboro.”

He remained in Newport News, VA until his death in the late 1990’s.

Fannie Lee Kemp was born on August 8, 1912, and was the fourth child born to Ed and Isadora Kemp. In her youth and young adulthood, like many in the Kemp family, she made a living by farming (share cropping), and by doing “day work “ for local wealthy families – washing clothes, cooking, and cleaning for $3 a day. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, fishing, and had a passion for flowers.  Had a green thumb — anything she touched would grow.  Her favorite flower was the rose.

In 1937, she married William Chestnut, and they had 3 children – Margaret, Thurman, and Shirley. While raising a family, she and her husband made a living by farming. Around 1956, Fannie started working at “The Blue Jean” as a janitor, her first full-time public job.  Guided by her love of flowers, Fannie later opened Chestnut’s Florist in the 1960’s, the first black-owned florist in Whiteville, NC. The original building on Virgil Street still stands today. On the farm, she grew vegetables that she would regularly sell at the local Farmer’s Market.

She was a member of New Light Missionary Baptist Church, where she faithfully served as an Usher, Mission’s President, Deaconess, and head of the Pastor’s Aid committee.

Fannie passed away in February 2002.

Mary Bell Kemp George was born July 11, 1911 in Bladen County, North Carolina. She grew up with her brothers and sisters, and later married Willie Coss George, and to this union eleven children were born and raised.

Mary Bell enjoyed cooking, fishing, gardening, sewing and farming with her husband and children.  Her favorite church activity was singing, which she she did with all of her heart.

She loved her husband and children deeply, and loved other children as her own as well.
Mary Bell passed away on October 14, 1955 at the age of 44.

Clara K. Hill

Clara Kemp Hill was born in or around the year 1916. In her early years, she married Jackson Hill, and this union was blessed with three children: Doretha, JD, and LB. In the early 1950’s, after the children were grown, Clara moved to Winston-Salem, NC and worked with RJ Reynolds Tobacco — along with her brother Lloyd who also worked there. She returned in the early 1960’s to Columbus County, where she did “day work,” housekeeping and farm work as a livelihood.

She can be remembered as a feisty lady — she always had “words” with all she encountered, and loved to laugh. She could really keep a conversation going. Her favorite hobby was fishing.

Clara passed away in Whiteville, NC.

Janie K. McMillen

Janie Kemp McMillan was born May 24, 1917 to Ed and Isadora Kemp.  She was blessed with 13 children, 3 of whom passed away shortly after birth.  Janie loved working in uptown Whiteville, NC as a household technician (maid), always dressed in her grey and white uniform, head piece, white stockings and white cushioned shoes.  She worked for Mr. Walter and Mrs. Mary High, Mr. Jim and Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, and the Maultsbys.  She also loved working with her flowers, cooking large pots of goulash, biscuits, soda bread, and fishing with her children and friends.  Janie also worked on farms with her sisters, Fannie and Ida.

Janie was a lifetime member of First St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the Usher Board and as a Missionary.  She was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Hayes McMillan, Sr.

Janie believed in the education of her grandchildren.  Each Christmas, she would give a pencil and a large peppermint stick wrapped in notebook paper.  It was a treat when one received socks in addition to the school supplies.  Her family was close to her, and she was with them daily.

Janie passed away on August 30, 2003 in Whiteville, NC.

Blanchie Lee K. Jones

Blanchie Lee, the daughter of Ed and Isadora, was one of thirteen children. At the age of fifteen, she married John A. Jones from the Welches Creek Community, Whiteville, NC.

This union produced 13 children:  Thelma, Dollie,  John (Elmore), Robert, Odessa, Lillie, Tillie, Rosa, George, James, Herman, Blanchie (Liz), and Ladrina.

As a livelihood, Blanchie Lee was a homemaker, and worked in farming. She was a fantastic cook and enjoyed sewing as well.  She could redesign a dress to a perfect fit for herself, and could measure and cut a pattern to “sew-to-fit” for the girls, including the “Peter Pan” collar.

As a member of the Welches Creek Church, she sang on the choir and was a deaconess. Her family loved hearing her hum a song — you could almost hear the words of the hymns as she hummed them.  She was a member of the Angelette Chapter #625 Order of Eastern Star.

Her family has grown to 44 grandchildren, 70 great grandchildren, and 23 great great grandchildren.

Ida Kemp Shipman was born on August 8, 1923, the twin sister of Charlie Kemp.  Ida always lived in Whiteville, NC, and married Homer Lee Shipman.  They were blessed with 10 children.  Ida enjoyed gardening, flowers, and devoted her life to the care of others.  Ida passed away February 17, 2009.

Charlie Kemp was born on August 8, 1923 to Ed and Isadora Kemp in Mullins, SC.  His twin sister was Ida.  At an early age, he learned the farming trade, and also developed a passion for mechanic work.  He established himself as a well-respected mechanic in the Whiteville area, and by the early 1950’s was widely known as one of the few who knew how to work on an automatic transmission.

In the mid 1950’s, he left NC and moved to NJ, pursuing greater opportunity.  He worked there for over 20 years, and eventually retired — moving back home to Whiteville, NC.

Charlie passed away in July 1980 in Whiteville, NC.

Annie Mae Kemp Chestnut was born April 28, 1930. She was the youngest child of Ed and Isadora Kemp and the last surviving sibling. Like many of her generation, she made a living doing farm and day work in her younger years. She is also remembered for “doing hair” for many young girls years ago. In the early 1970s, she began working at Georgia Pacific, and she continued there until her retirement in 1993.

At the age of sixteen (16), she married Lenwood Chestnut. To this union, ten (10) children were born, two of which died as infants. She and her husband raised their remaining children to honor the Lord and work in the church and to work hard in life. Although her husband and oldest child (Betty), have preceded her in death to be with the Lord, her family includes: fourteen (14) grandchildren, twenty-one (21) great-grandchildren and one (1) great great-grandchild.

After getting married, she became a member of Union Chapel FWB Church in Whiteville, NC where she served on: the Mother’s Board, the Senior and Gospel Choirs, the Kitchen Committee and over the Sunshine Band.

Annie loved planting her garden and fishing. Annie passed away on August 7, 2020.

Edgar Kemp was born in 1926, and lived in Whiteville, NC.  He was an excellent cook, and lived his passion working as a chef for some of Whiteville’s most prominent families.  He was blessed with one child and 2 grandchildren.  Edgar passed away in Whiteville.

James Kemp was born in 1915, in the Bladen/Columbus County area.  Little is known about James, but at a young age, he moved to Georgetown, SC and worked in farming. During this time, he lost direct contact with much of the family.

On January 26, 1937, James died at the age of 22. His siblings never knew what happened to him, but in 2015, his death certificate was located — clarifying the details of his death.

Elijah was the youngest of the Kemp children, born June 27, 1933 in Chadbourn, NC.   He grew up in the Chadbourn area, and enjoyed mechanic work and fishing.

Elijah passed away in July of 1977 at the age of 44.