Mrs. Jennie Thompson Kemp was born on April 24, 1936 in Manning, South Carolina (Clarendon County) to the union of Mr. Felix Thompson, Sr. and Mrs. Plummie Williams. She and her parents moved to Hallandale, Florida in 1939.

Mrs. Kemp attended Lanier Elementary School and Lanier Junior High School in Hallandale, Florida; and graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Florida in 1954.   She graduated from the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commercial Industries with a Certificate in Tailoring.  She also attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana and St. Mary’s College in Xavier, Kansas where she received her Teaching Certification.

 Jennie married Robert F. Kemp, on December 31, 1959. She served with him as he served his country as an active-duty Army officer for fifteen years. They were the parents of three children: two sons: Ronald K. Kemp, Mitchellville, MD and Andre’ B. Kemp, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia; and one daughter, Lisa D. Howell, Mitchellville, MD.

 A life-long devout Christian, Mrs. Kemp was an active member of the Greater Ward Chapel A. M. E. Church in Hallandale, Florida for over twenty years.  In 1973, she joined the Leake Temple A. M. E. Zion Church in Anchorage, Alaska.  After relocating from Anchorage to Vancouver, Washington in 1981, she joined the Community A. M. E. Zion Church.  In June 1984, she became First Lady of the Community Church when her husband was appointed Pastor of that congregation. 

 Mrs. Kemp was very active on the local, District, Annual Conference and National Levels of the A. M. E. Zion Church for over thirty-two years.  In addition to her duties as First Lady, she served locally as Deaconess; Assistant Class Leader; Member of the Senior Choir; Life Members Chairman and Parent Body Secretary-Treasurer, W. H.& O. M. Society; Altar Guild member, and a willing active member of several other ministries, boards and auxiliaries.  On the District and Conference level, she served as Delegate; District President of the Life Members Council, W. H.& O. M. Society; Home Missions Queen contestant and member of the Episcopal Residence Committee.  She was a faithful attendee and active participant in most meetings of the Western Episcopal District and the A. M E. Zion Church at large.

Sister Jennie, as she was known by many, had a varied and interesting background as an entrepreneur, home economist, teacher, fashion model, and civil rights activist.  She was a distributor for household and beauty products; fashion designer, tailor; and professional day care provider.

 Mrs. Jennie T. Kemp passed away on December 30, 2005.